Help us protect mental health services in California!

PEERS invites you to attend a public forum on Tuesday, August 1st from 3 pm to 4:30 pm to speak up against SB 326. 

This bill would modernize and reform the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which was passed as Proposition 63 by voters in 2004. It would expand services for substance abuse disorders and provide more resources for housing and workforce development. These improvements would come at the cost of existing prevention and early intervention services. 

Under the current Mental Health Services Act, Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) programs receive 19% of the allocated funds. SB 326 would replace PEI with a new category - Population-Based Prevention (PBP) - and reduce the funding allocations to just 5%. In Alameda County, this change translates to a drop from $20 million to $7 million in funding. Such a change would drastically impact our ability to provide vital services that help people before they are greatly affected by their mental health challenges.

That’s why we’re showing up at public forums that the California Behavioral Health Planning Council is hosting throughout the month of August. These forums will give community members and healthcare providers a chance to provide their input on SB 326. The comments heard will be consolidated and included in the recommendations the Council provides to DHCS, the Legislature, and the Governors Administration.

Make sure to register and join us at tomorrow's virtual forum. Find more info and ways to stay informed on SB 326 below. 

Register for the public forum

Additional links: 

• Full calendar of upcoming forums hosted by the California Behavioral Health Planning Council (CBHPC)
• Recording of Information Session on SB 326 by Cal Voices
• Follow Cal Voices to stay informed