Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)

About the Behavioral Health Services Act

The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) provides funding to counties to expand and develop innovative and integrated mental health services for children, youth, adults, and older adults. California voters passed Proposition 63 in November 2004 as the result of a grassroots coalition intending to transform public mental health care.

The intent of this website is to inform and invite you to participate in the implementation of the BHSA.

DHHS will be hosting a series of regional meetings to share information and gather input for the “BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan.”

The following in-person and virtual meetings are scheduled throughout the county: 

  • Eastern Humboldt – Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, noon-1:30 p.m. via Zoom, Meeting ID: 160 550 5499 – Passcode: jc9Jzu
  • Southern Humboldt (Garberville) – Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, noon-1:30 p.m. – In person at the Garberville Library Conference Room, 715 Cedar St., Garberville 
  • Eel River Valley (Fortuna) – Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, noon-1:30 p.m. – In person at the Adventist Community Service/Humboldt Alcohol Recovery Treatment Program, 2331 Rohnerville Road, Fortuna 
  • Eureka – Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, noon-1:30 p.m. – In person at the DHHS Professional Building, 507 F St., Eureka 
  • Northern Humboldt (Blue Lake) – Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, noon-1:30 p.m. – In person at the Blue Lake Community Resource Center, 111 Greenwood Ave., Blue Lake.

Proposition 63, also known as the MHSA, was passed by California voters in 2004 and placed a 1% tax on personal incomes greater than $1 million to fund the development and expansion of mental health services for children, youth, adults and older adults. In 2024, the passage of Proposition 1, made changes to how counties are required to utilize MHSA funds, which includes the addition of a dedicated housing component. Proposition 1 renamed the MHSA to the BHSA. 

For more information about the meetings, or to RSVP, email bhsacomments@co.humboldt.ca.us or call 707-441-3770. To learn more about the BHSA, visit humboldtgov.org/BHSA.

Purpose

The BHSA addresses a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention, and service needs:

  • Older Adults and Dependent Adults Program provides in-home services to disabled adults, at- risk adults and older adults including outreach, education, assessment and treatment.
  • Regional Services reaches out and engages adults living in the outlying areas of Humboldt County and provides services to them as needed.
  • Comprehensive Community Treatment provides intensive community services and supports to clients to decrease hospitalization and achieve recovery.
  • The Hope Center is a peer-run center that provides peer-to-peer education and support, system navigation and linkage to services.
  • Transition Age Youth (TAY) Advocacy and Peer Support provides activities for youth and young adults ages 16-26 that are responsive to their needs, fostering youth development, advocacy, community engagement and youth wellness.
  • Suicide Prevention Program provides community education, outreach and engagement, and capacity building assistance around suicide prevention.
  • Parent Partners offer assistance in navigating the DHHS system, linking parents and caregivers with community resources, building natural supports and helping them identify their personal wellness goals.
  • Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) provides funding to the Humboldt County Office of Education to support the adoption and organization of evidence-based behavioral interventions that enhances academic and social behavior outcomes for all students.

Plans or Updates

The 2025-2026 Annual Update received Board of Supervisor (BOS) approval on June 24th, 2025. To view the final version of the document, please click here: MHSA 2025-2026 Draft Annual Update (PDF). 

We are in the process of transitioning to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and are actively receiving guidance from the state.  As we plan for BHSA implementation, please feel free to reach out to Oliver Gonzalez with questions via email at mhsacomments@co.humboldt.ca.us or by calling 707-441-3770 or toll-free 866-320-8911. 

Local Implementation Agreements Funding Opportunity

The 2023-2026 Behavioral Health Services Act Three-Year Plan includes funding for local community organizations to develop and support projects designed to reduce the impact of mental illness. These projects are called Local Implementation Agreements. This funding is available for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Up to $24,900 is available per approved organization.

Through Local Implementation Agreements, DHHS intends to provide support for projects focused on:

  • Early Intervention
  • Prevention
  • Outreach for Increasing Recognition of Early Signs of Mental Illness
  • Access and Linkage to Treatment
  • Stigma and Discrimination Reduction
  • Suicide Prevention

A total of 6 organizations were selected for funding for fiscal year 2025-2026. Congratulations to Black Humboldt, First 5 Humboldt, the Fortuna Union High School District (FUHSD), Humboldt Senior Resource Center, the Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA), and Southern Humboldt Family Resource Center! A brief description of their projects can be found in the draft 2025-2026 Annual Update.

Behavioral Health Workforce Program

The Superior Regional Partnership, through the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information's (HCAI) Behavioral Health Program, has developed programs to increase the recruitment and retention of the behavioral health workforce. Humboldt County, in collaboration with other counties in the Superior region, has partnered with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) and HCAI to make these programs available in exchange for commitments to a service obligation in the Public Mental Health System (PMHS). The PMHS workforce consists of employees working for Humboldt County Behavioral Health or for a behavioral health organization that is contracted with Humboldt County Behavioral Health. These programs include loan repayment, graduate stipends and peer scholarships.

Want to weigh in on behavioral health services? Take this survey.

Community residents are invited to take a survey to provide input on local behavioral health services and what new and innovative ideas they think should be included in Humboldt County’s Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) 2026-2029 Integrated Plan.

The new plan will lay out BHSA-funded programs and expenditures during that time. The survey is part of a larger community planning process that will include meetings throughout the county. 

Proposition 63, also known as the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), was passed by California voters in 2004, and placed a 1% tax on personal incomes greater than $1 million to fund the development and expansion of mental health services for children, youth, adults and older adults. In 2024, the passage of Proposition 1 made changes to how counties have to utilize MHSA funds, which includes the addition of a dedicated housing component. Proposition 1 renamed the MHSA to the BHSA. 

For information about upcoming meetings and the planning process, email bhsacomments@co.humboldt.ca.us or call 707-441-3770 with your name and contact information.

Fill out the participation and feedback survey or email the above bhsacomments@co.humboldt.ca.us for a copy.