When voters passed Proposition 1 in March 2024, replacing the Mental Health Services Act with the Behavioral Health Services Act, it heralded a major shift in behavioral health services in California, one that focuses on helping people with severe mental health and substance use disorder issues and getting them into housing. It also means a big shift in how counties spend behavioral health funds.
As counties figure out that shift, and in the lead-up to the BHSA going into full effect in July 2026, the County of Monterey is seeking input from behavioral health nonprofits and agencies through the newly formed Monterey County Behavioral Health Transformation Collaborative. The goal is to create a space where the partners can connect and participate in the planning and decision process, says Fabricio Chombo, assistant Behavioral Health Bureau chief.
Ultimately they want to align efforts and build a system where residents can access care from any point, rather than having to reach out to various agencies, says consultant Dustin Anderson of ThoughtLink, who specializes in understanding the nuances of the BHSA.
The first Collaborative meeting in October introduced BHSA requirements. There are four additional meetings scheduled through March, in time to meet the deadline for a required report to the state detailing how the County will implement the act.
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state will keep 10 percent of Prop. 1 funds for statewide prevention efforts. Counties will be required to spend 35 percent of the funds they receive on full-service partnerships focused on prevention efforts (previously 79 percent), 30 percent on housing interventions and 30 percent on services such as workforce education and early intervention, with 51 percent focused on early intervention for those age 25 and younger.
Some nonprofits may have to realign programs – Chombo says they are analyzing future funding impacts.