2015 MHSA County Programs: Services that Change Lives A report created by NAMI California | 2015 Acknowledgements NAMI California is pleased to present its 2015 MHSA County Programs: Services that Change Lives. This Report is a list of county-level programs carried out by different organizations and individuals throughout the state funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). NAMI California would like to acknowledge and extend its gratitude to those who contributed to this document’s creation. Eleven years ago, California voters took a giant step forward by passing Proposition 63, the ballot measure that created the MHSA. The Act’s passage provided the first opportunity in many years to increase funding and other resources to support county mental health programs. In its fourth year, this Report’s data highlights the hard work undertaken by each County Behavioral Health Director and his or her staff. We are grateful for their tremendous assistance in gathering this important information and implementing these valuable programs. We also would like to highlight our NAMI California Board of Directors, affiliates and members. We are extremely appreciative of your continued support and dedication. This Report is just one of the many efforts that would not be possible without your hard work and commitment. Every year, NAMI California’s staff dedicates hundreds of hours of hard work compiling and fact-checking all of this information. Perry Communications Group lent its expertise in drafting the Report’s introductory documents and aided in its statewide dissemination. Established two years ago through the passage and signing of Senate Bill 82, the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Act of 2013 expands crisis services statewide that help Californians with mental illness lead improved lives. Senate Bill 82 provides crucial funding for crisis stabilization facilities, mobile crisis response teams, and triage personnel placed at various facilities. These services are an important supplement to MHSA’s community programming. Funds have been distributed and continue to be allocated to counties from the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the California Health Facilities Financing Authority. For the first time, this Report includes Senate Bill 82 funded programs. We recognize the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee who instated Senate Bill 82: Senator Mark Leno, Senator Bill Emmerson, Senator Joel Anderson, Senator Jim Beall, Senator Tom Berryhill, Senator Marty Block, Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Senator Loni Hancock, Senator Jerry Hill, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Senator Bill Monning, Senator Jim Nielsen, Senator Richard Roth, Senator Norma Torres, Senator Rod Wright and Senator Mark Wyland. We also recognize Senate Pro Tem Emeritus Darrel Steinberg for his leadership in the passage of Senate Bill 82. The combined work and support of all of these people has truly made a difference. Thank you, Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, PhD Jessica Cruz, MPA/HS President Executive Director i 2015 MHSA County Programs: Services that Change Lives In 2004, Proposition 63’s passage established the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). It provides a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention and treatment as well as the necessary infrastructure, technology and advancement of the mental health workforce to support the California public mental health system. For the fourth consecutive year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, California (NAMI California) has taken the lead in compiling a list of MHSA-funded programs throughout the state in a county-by-county listing that comprises this year’s report – 2015 MHSA County Programs: Services that Change Lives. An estimated one in five adults in California – about 16 percent of the adult population – have mental health care needs.1 We know the best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports.2 The need for these services is immense, especially for those in California facing a potentially disabling mental illness that lack public or private health insurance. Services span the following MHSA core program components: n Community services and supports n Capital facilities and technological needs n Workforce education and training n Prevention and early intervention n Innovation Without access to needed services, the result is devastating to individuals and their families. We must recognize that the Mental Health Services Act provides only a portion of the funding needed to ensure people living with mental illness and their families receive the appropriate and necessary services and treatment. Although we have come a long way, much work needs to be done. This report is intended to: n Raise awareness of the MHSA funded programs and services available for Californians living with chronic and persistent mental illness as well as their families. n Offer Californians – policymakers, thought leaders and residents – a more detailed understanding of the critical services available for those living with a chronic and persistent mental illness, detail the impact mental illness has on families and highlighting where gaps may exist. n Showcase approximately 1,500 programs developed and implemented statewide that serve hundreds of thousands of Californians from all walks of life. n Provide background on the programs and the tailored supports that tend to the individual needs of diverse clientele by region. ii Changing Lives: MHSA Programs, Services and Successes All told, in the past 11 years, Proposition 63 has raised more than $11 billion and helped hundreds of thousands of individuals move forward on their paths to treatment and recovery of mental illness. MHSA programs have contributed significantly in helping reduce the long-term, negative impact that untreated serious mental illness has on individuals and families as well as state and local budgets. Counties receive funding to provide “whatever it takes” treatment for people with serious mental illness. Through stakeholder input, counties tailor mental health programs and support to meet their population’s needs. This freedom and flexibility has led to the development of innovative care models – some of which are highlighted in the pages that follow. MHSA County Program Highlights n PEI African American Cultural Center (AAFCC) Butte County Numerous counties are using prevention and early intervention (PEI) approaches to engage individuals before the development of serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance by facilitating access to services and support at the earliest signs of mental health struggles. Butte County’s African American Family and Cultural Center (AAFCC) partners with a community advisory team to ensure youth and their families connect to behavioral health services and provide programs in areas and at locations where community members are already gathering. The program also received $300,000 for the 2014-15 fiscal year. n OC4VETS Orange County OC4VETS is an innovative peer-to-peer program for veterans and their families, most of who have experienced behavioral health issues and are in recovery. These peers provide navigation and solid connections with existing community resources. They use the “buddy system” that is familiar to all military veterans to provide assistance without creating a sense of dependence. In partnership with the OC Community Resources Veterans Service Office and the Workforce Investment Board, OC4VETS provides screenings and case management. Services also include housing, job skills enhancement, employment, work sustainment coaching and other services. n High School Training Sacramento County Sacramento’s high school training program, built on partnerships among Mental Health Plan providers, the Cultural Competence Committee, community partners and other interested stakeholders, focuses on exploring public mental health career opportunities for high school youth. The program addresses issues of stigma and discrimination with the goal of increasing the understanding of mental health issues from diverse racial and ethnic perspectives. iii n Mobile Support Team (MST) Sonoma County Licensed mental health clinicians, certified substance abuse specialists, mental health consumers and families staff Sonoma’s Mobile Support Team (MST). The program takes an integrated approach, with licensed clinicians working side by side with law enforcement and the MST to support crisis response. The MST staff is trained in law enforcement tactics, participates in ride-along trainings and receives training in Detoxification and Psychiatric Emergency Services procedures and protocols. Consumers and family members are a key resource not only to mitigate further crisis but also to create relationships with law enforcement officers in order to reduce stigma and increase awareness. About the Report: Organization, Preparation, Methodology & Timeline Organized by county, the Report lists and describes each county’s MHSA program, population served, and the name and contact information for each county’s MHSA coordinator and/or website link. NAMI California gathered data for this Report by contacting all 59 California Behavioral Health Departments and by reviewing county plans and annual updates. n In March, the information-gathering process begins when NAMI California sends a letter to the county