"State-directed shifts in behavioral health funding and layer after layer of state mandates are creating extraordinary challenges for counties across California, as flexibility narrows while demand for services continues to grow," Williams told San José Spotlight. "Despite these very real constraints, we remain committed to sustaining critical behavioral health programs, improving coordination across our crisis response continuum and advancing prevention and early intervention wherever possible."
"The Behavioral Health Services Department faces a $100 million deficit in the coming fiscal year due to an array of issues that include federal cuts to Medi-Cal triggered by H.R. 1 , changes in state funding for mental health services, the end of one-time COVID-19 dollars and rising cost of living. That's all forcing the department to pay more toward supportive housing for patients."
"The biggest hit comes from a shift in how the state mandates the way money is spent, with more emphasis placed on acute care rather than preventive services. County leaders had ramped up preventive services by implementing more residential treatment facilities, adding a behavior health navigator program, launching a police alternative with a mental health mobile crisis program known as TRUST and other proactive efforts. Now they are reevaluating future plans."
Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services faces a projected $100 million deficit next fiscal year caused by federal Medi-Cal cuts, state funding changes, the end of one-time COVID-19 dollars, and rising costs. State funding mandates have shifted toward acute care, reducing flexibility for preventive services. The county expanded preventive efforts including residential treatment, a behavior health navigator program, and the TRUST mobile crisis police alternative. Officials are reassessing future plans, preparing recommendations for the Board of Supervisors, and aiming to sustain critical programs while mitigating negative impacts amid narrowing funding flexibility.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]