Transforming Mental Health in California: Proposition 63 Implementation Challenges and Successes

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 1-3 p.m.
State Capitol, Room 3191

Session Objective:

With dedicated new funds from Proposition 63 expected to exceed $3.6 billion in the 2004-2008 period, California has been challenged to transform its mental health system. Components of this transformation include a change in treatment philosophy to one that supports recovery, as well as increases in the scope of mental health services offered, in consumer and family involvement, and in efforts to reach previously unserved or underserved populations. Passed in 2004, Proposition 63 became the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which is funded by a 1% tax on people with incomes over $1 million and contains provisions that prohibit the use of these new funds to supplant existing programs and services. This session will explore progress made toward transformation of the mental health system and identify implementation challenges and successes, as well as opportunities for legislative action to address implementation difficulties.

Key Questions to Be Answered:

• What steps have been taken toward transforming California’s mental health system? What additional changes need to be made, what action is needed, and who needs to be involved to ensure that these changes occur?
• There are some significant challenges in implementing the MHSA, such as distributing funds to counties, adding to and changing systems and services, and having the right number and types of mental health staff. How are the state and counties responding to these challenges? What additional assistance do they need? 
• The MHSA allocates funds specifically for education and training (approximately $300 million from 2004-2007). Have these funds made a substantial impact on ensuring that the workforce is appropriately trained to meet the needs of today’s mental health consumers? 
• Who has been involved and what is the status of efforts to improve access to services for racial and ethnic minorities, residents of rural counties, and others who are historically underserved? 

Confirmed Panelists:

• Carol Hood, Deputy Director, Systems of Care, Mental Health Services Act Team, Department of Mental Health
• Richard Van Horn, president and CEO, National Mental Health Association of Greater Los Angeles
• Jim Hurley, MFT, Coordinator, Wellness Recovery Center & Psychiatric Liaison Clinic, Stanislaus County Behavioral Health
• Mistique Felton, MPH, Senior Research Associate, Nicholas C. Petris Center for Health Care Markets and Consumer Welfare, University of California, Berkeley

Confirmed Facilitator:

• Patricia Ryan, MPA, Executive Director, California Mental Health Directors Association

* Reservations recommended. Please contact Sue Gutierrez at 916-930-9200 or sgutierrez@chipolicy.org