Background

The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) is an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

Prevention and Early Intervention programs implemented by CalMHSA are funded by counties through the Mental Health Services Act.  Mental Health/Developmental Disability CollaborativeIn 1996, the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Developmental Services convened a Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) to develop principles that address service and funding issues for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses.  

California Mental Health Services Authority

Californians changed history by voting YES to embrace Prop. 63 – the first-of-its-kind initiative that provided the funding and framework to transform the community mental health system from a crisis-driven system to one focused on prevention and wellness, including to expand services to reach underserved populations.

In 1998, the code Section 4696.1 was amended to increase cooperation and collaboration between regional centers and county mental health agencies.  In 2006, the Mental Health/Developmental Disability Collaborative (Collaborative) replaced the MHTF. The Collaborative represents the interests of persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness and meets quarterly in Sacramento.

The Collaborative has representatives from: •Association of Regional Center Agencies, •California Mental Health Directors Association,•The Arc,•regional centers, •California Institute for Mental Health, •private mental health service providers, •family members, and•Departments of Mental Health and Developmental Services.

The Collaborative strengthens relationships between agencies that provide mental health services to persons with developmental disabilities and provides an opportunity for agencies to address issues facing this population. The Collaborative also monitors legislation for potential impact on constituents, and maintains information about community resources providing mental health services to persons with developmental disabilities

To improve systems and reduce obstacles to appropriate services, project innovations are funded by the Mental Health Services Act in partnership with DMF and DDS to enhance community capacity and improve service integration.

Project Hope

Project Hope was established to offer a range of support with group and individual psychotherapy to targeted services consumers with histories of psychiatric hospitalization. It also provides training to agency staff, community service providers, and families to increase recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and supply strategies for coping.

San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (SG/PRC)Collaborative Partners: SG/PRCs Bio-Behavioral Consultation Committee, Alma Family Services, Board Resource Center and Golden Gate Regional Center.