Santa Cruz County residents are invited to attend the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Public Hearing to learn about the updated plan and upcoming program changes. Community members are encouraged to share their feedback on existing MHSA-funded mental health and substance use programs as well as their experience accessing these services in Santa Cruz County.
11/21/2024: DRAFT FY 24-25 Mental Health Services Act Annual Update
11/21/2024: MHSA Public Hearing Presentation
21/11/2024: Presentación de la Reunión Pública de MHSA
Other ways to review the MHSA Annual Update:
2. What is your role in the Mental Health Community?
3. What are the strengths of the plan?
4. What are its weaknesses?
5. What other challenges or unmet needs have you experienced in accessing mental health services in Santa Cruz County
6. Anything else you would like to share?
Provide your feedback in writing, via USPS mail to: Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Attention: MHSA Coordinator 1400 Emeline Avenue, Building K Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The passage of Prop 63 in Nov. 2004 created the Mental Health Services Act. The purpose of the Mental Health Services Act is to expand and improve mental health services and transform the mental health system. Santa Cruz County residents were requested to participate in the planning process. Based on the feedback from individuals, consumers of mental health services (and their family members), and all community stakeholders we developed a plan based on the needs of the community and the treatment methods known to be the most effective to achieve the best results.
MHSA regulations require counties to provide community stakeholders with an update to the MHSA 3 year plan on an annual basis.
This Three-Year Program & Expenditure Plan (The Plan) details the programs being administered, budget allocations, program updates and/or implementations, population/communities being served, and links to the most recent outcomes measurement reports.
A large part of the process is engaging community members by providing them with an update to the programs being funded in the 3 year plan. The community planning process allows stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback from their unique perspective about the programs and services being funded through MHSA.
Innovation projects test new, creative methods to address the mental health needs of unserved and underserved populations by expanding or developing services and supports that produce successful outcomes. Innovation projects are time-limited, and contribute to learning.
Santa Cruz County is excited to try an innovative suite of crisis support services.
Read the Santa Cruz County’s proposed MHSA Innovation Plan
VIDEO: June 27, 2023 Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors MHSA Innovative Plan Presentation
To learn more about the MHSA funded programs in our community, click on the images below