Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)

Local Implementation Agreements Funding Opportunity

DHHS is seeking community organizations to develop and support projects designed to reduce the impact of mental illness that focus on the following:

Maggie and Jane - Maggie Had Found a Home by Louise Hope

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

To learn more and request an application, email mhsacomments@co.humboldt.ca.us. Applications are due by 5 p.m., Friday, May 5. This funding comes from the 2023-2026 Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Plan and is available for the period between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Up to $24,900.00 is available per approved organization.

About the Mental Health Services Act

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) 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 MHSA.

Purpose

The MHSA 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

A public hearing is scheduled for May 25, during the Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board’s May meeting and will be facilitated by the Board in a hybrid format. The meeting runs from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. For those attending in person, the meeting is scheduled to take place at the Professional Building, 507 F St. in Eureka. Additional information on the public hearing will be available on the Behavioral Health Board’s May agenda, which will be posted soon.

The MHSA Three-Year Plan for 2023-2026 (PDF) is now available for review.

Feedback can be provided by emailing mhsacomments@co.humboldt.ca.us or by mailing comments to DHHS Behavioral Health, Attn: MHSA Comments, 720 Wood St., Eureka, CA 95501. To request a printed copy of the Three-Year Plan, call 707-441-3770 or toll-free at 866-320-8911.

The final Stakeholder Report for the Three-Year Plan (PDF) is now available.

For additional information, contact MHSA Coordinator Oliver Gonzalez at mhsacomments@co.humboldt.ca.us.

To make a public comment, please email us at mhsacomments@co.humboldt.ca.us.

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.

The Graduate Stipend Program application period for the 2023-2024 academic year is Jan. 9, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2023. The program and application guide for Graduate Stipends were made available on Jan. 19.