Position Category: MHAC

SB 326 (EGGMAN) The Mental Health Services Act – Concern

July 26, 2023

The Honorable Susan Eggman
California State Senate
1021 O St., Suite 8530
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: SB 326 (Eggman): CONCERNS

Dear Senator Eggman: Mental Health America of California appreciates the Administration’s goal of improving care for Californians living with behavioral health challenges. However, we have serious concerns that Behavioral Health Modernization, currently moving through the Legislature as SB 326 (Eggman), will not achieve the Administration’s goals, and is likely to exacerbate California’s mental health crisis. This letter is intended to supplement the proposed amendments we submitted to Assembly Health Committee on July 13, 2023.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC), an affiliate of Mental Health America, has five affiliate organizations and one associate organization in California. We are a peer run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. Along these lines, we support efforts which increase access to voluntary, culturally responsive, community-based behavioral health services.

Senate Bill 326 and the resulting ballot initiative, if passed, will result in significant changes to California’s public behavioral health care system. An initiative of this magnitude should not be developed behind closed doors or rushed through the legislative process. Simple math can inform us that if (a) thirty percent of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds are diverted to provide and support additional beds; (b) three percent of MHSA funds are diverted for a statewide workforce initiative; and (c) an unknown percentage of funds are diverted to provide substance use disorder (SUD) services for people without a mental health diagnosis, county mental health services will be reduced.

Our specific concerns are detailed below.

I. An initiative of this magnitude should not be rushed through the legislative process without significant stakeholder involvement and detailed analyses.

The Mental Health Services Act was drafted over several years, and included meaningful and substantial input from a broad variety of stakeholders, to ensure that the Act would meet the needs of Californians with mental health challenges who receive services in the public mental health care system. In contrast, SB 326 was drafted behind closed doors without input from the multitude of primary stakeholders who will be impacted, including peers, counties and providers. Furthermore, other than the recent report by the Legislative Analyst Office, there has been no analysis conducted by the Administration to examine the impacts of Behavioral Health Modernization on existing services.

SB 326, as currently written, would rename the MHSA to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and divert 3% of county BHSA funds off the top for a statewide workforce initiative that is vaguely described in the bill. Additional funds would be diverted from local services for standalone SUD treatment and for residential beds. This will undoubtedly impact local mental health services, but without detailed analysis and conversations with the multitude of local mental health stakeholders, it is impossible to know how many people will lose access to vital services, and which services will be reduced.

II. Changes to the MHSA should be designed after the current statewide mental health reforms have taken effect.

The MHSA was drafted and approved by voters to close gaps in California’s public mental health system, and to provide funding for services that are not covered by existing funding streams. Yet California is currently undergoing drastic changes to its public mental health system, including California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM), the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT), Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis and 988 expansion, and the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP). With the exception of CYBHI, and certain aspects of CalAIM, the changes underway are intended to increase services for individuals with high needs.

With so many significant changes underway, it is virtually impossible to foretell where the gaps and needs of the system will be once all of these new programs are implemented. However, given the state’s focus on the unhoused and those with high needs within SB 326, it is reasonable to assume that there will be gaps in upstream care. It is negligent and irresponsible for the state to move ahead with changes to the MHSA without allowing time for the current programs and initiatives to take effect, and for service needs in the public mental health care system to be exposed. Due to its role to fill unfunded system needs, the MHSA should not be reformed until California understands where the needs will be after system reforms are fully enacted.

III. California’s high number of unhoused people is the direct result of a severe lack of affordable housing. We must address this issue prior to amending the MHSA.

Since 2018, California has poured at least 20 billion dollars into efforts to address homelessness1 , yet the number of people without homes has continued to climb. For example, between 2019 and 2022, the overall point in time count of people without homes in Sacramento rose 67%.2

The focus of the state’s mostly one-time funding homelessness funding has been on temporary shelter/housing, with the development of very little permanent housing. Temporary housing, including shelters, does not result in long-term reductions in homelessness. As soon as the one-time funding is exhausted, individuals are once again on the streets.

According to the California Legislative Analyst Office3 , the following is the result, in terms of permanent housing, of some of the state’s homelessness funding:

  • Project Homekey: $798 Million spent with 6,467 Permanent units
  • Encampment Resolution Funding: $50 million spent with 53 people placed directly into permanent housing, and 365 exiting encampments directly into emergency shelters or transitional housing
  • No Place Like Home: $1.9 billion. Since 2018, 498 units have been completed

A recent groundbreaking study by Dr. Margot Kushel at the University of California San Francisco found that the majority of unhoused people in California become unhoused simply because they cannot afford housing. Seventy percent of people surveyed for the study indicated that a monthly rental subsidy of $300-$500 would have prevented their homelessness.4 Although a high percentage of unhoused people reported symptoms of mental health challenges, these challenges were not the cause of individuals becoming unhoused. In fact, the trauma of becoming unhoused and the traumas associated with being unhoused can cause new mental health challenges or worsen existing mental health challenges.

A review of data from the Housing and Community Development dashboard reveals that statewide Regional Housing Needs Projections (RHNA) estimate that, in order to meet local housing needs, 40% of housing must be for people with low and very low incomes. Yet between 2013 and 2024, 76% of the housing permitted by local Continuums of Care (CoC) was for people above moderate incomes, with only 12% of permits for people with low and very low incomes.5 The most recent census data reveals that between 2017 and 2021, the median household income in California was $84,097.6 Thus, the vast majority of housing being built in California is only affordable to households who make more than $84,000 per year.

Homelessness in California is an affordable housing issue. Recently, the Legislature approved a large-scale audit of California’s homelessness spending, with the goal of learning why the state’s $20 billion investment towards housing and homelessness has not reduced the number of people without homes. We believe it is imperative that the Legislature wait for the results of this audit before approving a broad diversion of mental health funds for beds and other housing in California.

IV. Behavioral Health Modernization, if passed by voters, will result in decreased community mental health services.

SB 326 would reduce community mental health services in several ways. First, the proposal would allow the state to take 3% of county BHSA funds off the top to fund an ill-defined statewide workforce program. While we recognize the severity of California’s workforce shortages, we believe that sources other than MHSA should fund these programs. The MHSA was written to provide funding to counties for local mental health services, and already allows five percent of funds for statewide activities. Furthermore, the department of Health Care Access and Information is currently charged with the state’s primary workforce initiatives. We question whether it is wise to provide funding for a separate state agency to begin parallel efforts.

The MHSA currently allows counties to provide housing and housing services to FSP clients, and we support this use of MHSA funds. However, SB 326 would require counties to shift 30% of their BHSA funds away from mental health services to housing, beds, and housing services. While we strongly support efforts to ensure that every Californian has a safe and stable home, additional funding for this should not come at the expense of community mental health services. As noted previously in this document, homelessness in California is an affordable housing issue, not a mental health issue.

In addition to diversion of mental health funds, the bill would also add a new population to be served by BHSA funds— people with substance use treatment needs who do not have mental health challenges. This, too, will reduce the community mental health services currently provided by counties. Again, we believe that people with substance use treatment needs should receive the care that they need, but this funding should not reduce community mental health services.

Under the new BHSA funding formula, the services that will be most impacted are those that fall within the third bucket (Behavioral Health Services and Supports), which would require counties to spend 15% of BHSA funds on early intervention activities and 15% of BHSA funds on non-FSP Community Services and Supports (CSS), Workforce, Education and Training (WET), Innovations (INN), Capital Facilities and Technological Needs (CFTN) and Prudent Reserve (PR). According to the recent analysis by the Legislative Analyst Office, these categories including Prevention and Early Intervention currently comprise around 60% of MHSA dollars. We can assume then that these categories without Prevention and Early Intervention would currently comprise 41% of MHSA dollars. If we compare this with SB 326 as currently drafted, funding for these vital services would be reduced by 26%. Programs and services currently funded under this category include mental health outpatient services, outreach and engagement services, workforce efforts, crisis and urgent care services, and homeless outreach, among many others. These are vital services that should not be reduced.

V. SB 326 removes existing MHSA priorities for children and youth.

Currently, the MHSA categories of prevention and early intervention, full-service partnerships, and community services and supports prioritize children and youth. Current PEI regulation (9 CCR § 3706) requires counties use at least 51% of PEI funding for children, youth and transition age youth ages 25 and younger. Similarly, regulations for CSS (9 CCR § 3610) also require counties to provide FSP and non-FSP services to children and youth. Yet, there is no language within SB 326 requiring that services be provided to children and youth. Given the Administration’s stated priority of focusing BHSA dollars on adults without homes, we are concerned that the proposal authorizes counties to significantly reduce, or possibly eliminate, spending on children and youth.

Furthermore, the proposal would require that children and youth who receive BHSA services must have a serious emotional disturbance diagnosis. This is contrary to recent state efforts including the former Surgeon General’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) report and statewide efforts in CalAIM. California has long recognized that childhood trauma results in increased risk for a behavioral health disorder, and that interventions provided before the emergence of symptoms can dramatically improve outcomes. In 2021, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) 21-073 which includes criteria for beneficiaries under age 21 to access specialty mental health services. Under these criteria, people under age 21 need only be at high risk for a mental health challenge to access services. We recommend that SB 326 incorporate the SMHS access criteria to ensure that all children and youth in need of services can access those services.

VI. State level governance and oversight of the BHSA would continue to be diffuse and likely ineffective.

When Proposition 63 was presented to voters in 2004, the informational flyer stated that the measure “Requires strict accountability for funds. An oversight panel of independent, unpaid members supervises expenditures. They can cut off funding for programs that are not effective.” This strict accountability has never materialized. Furthermore, oversight of the MHSA has declined since 2004, with AB 100 (2011)7 eliminating the duty of the Department of Mental Health to approve county three-year plans, and eliminating the duty of the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) to approve Prevention programs and to review and comment on county three-year plans. These duties were never re-assigned to DHCS. It is important to note that, in removing this oversight of the MHSA, AB 100 stated in Section 1(b):

Further, it is the intent of the Legislature to ensure continued state oversight and accountability of the Mental Health Services Act. In eliminating state approval of county mental health programs, the Legislature expects the state, in consultation with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, to establish a more effective means of ensuring that county performance complies with the Mental Health Services Act.

The state has never established a means to effectively oversee the MHSA. Oversight of the MHSA was further eroded in 2012 with the dissolution of the Department of Mental Health.

State level governance and oversight of the BHSA would remain diffuse and limited under SB 326. The bill would eliminate all oversight responsibilities from the MHSOAC/BHSOAC, and only slightly increases the oversight responsibilities of DHCS. It remains unclear within SB 326 who would be responsible for state leadership and oversight. There continue to be multiple entities with partial leadership responsibilities, including the Health and Human Services Agency (HHS), DHCS, MHSOAC/BHSOAC, and the California Behavioral Health Planning Council (CBHPC). However, clear and distinct responsibilities for these agencies have not been delineated.

Strong oversight and accountability of the BHSA will be necessary to the long-term success of the measure. We recommend that the Legislature make a concerted effort to clearly define oversight of the measure including clear designation of entity roles and responsibilities.

We appreciate the opportunity to provide these comments on SB 326 (Eggman), and the Administration’s Behavioral Health Modernization proposal. Our recommendations are intended to ensure that people with mental health challenges can access the services and supports that will be most effective for each individual.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me (hstrunk@mhac.org) or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari (kvicari@mhaofca.org).

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk President & CEO

cc: Assembly Health Committee

SB 326 (EGGMAN) Behavioral Health Services Act – Amendment

July 12, 2023

Submitted via Web Portal and E-mail

Assembly Member Jim Wood, Chair Assembly Health Committee 1020 N Street, Room 390 Sacramento, CA 95814

E: SB 326 (Eggman) Proposed Amendments

Dear Assembly Member Wood:

Mental Health America of California requests amendments (detailed below) to SB 326 (Eggman), the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. Along these lines, we support efforts which increase voluntary, culturally responsive, community-based behavioral health services. 

We have included in our email submission a separate red-lined markup of the relevant sections of the Word Document for Amendments including our requested amendments. Justification for the requested amendments is as follows:

I. Page 4, Amend Section 99277 of the Education Code to include individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges and individuals with lived experience of homelessness to the Advisory Board/Oversight Body.

99277. (a) Upon receiving funding for purposes of this chapter, UCSF, the UC college named in Section 92200, and the UC/CSU California Collaborative on Neurodiversity and Learning shall each appoint one member from the respective institutions. This group shall be charged with the development and oversight of the initiative and shall function as the institute’s management committee. The management committee shall be permitted, but not obligated, to retain a program director to assist in the implementation of the initiative.

(b) (1) An advisory board, with its title and members to be named by the institute, shall be established to serve as an oversight body for the initiative in order to monitor progress and provide leadership from the perspectives of their respective participating organizations, departments, and divisions and to facilitate collaboration among researchers, practitioners, administrators, legislators, and community stakeholders.

(2) The advisory board shall provide expertise and support to the management committee.

(3) The advisory board shall be a check on accountability to ensure that the initiative is meeting its goals. Page 2 of 5

(4) The advisory board shall conduct a fiscal review of the distribution of funds to ensure alignment with the goals of the initiative.

(5) The membership of the advisory board shall be constituted as set forth in subdivision (c).

(c) The members of the advisory board shall be representatives from the following institutions, organizations, agencies, and groups:

(1) UCSF.

(2) UC college named in Section 92200.

(3) The UC/CSU California Collaborative for Learning and Neurodiversity.

(4) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

(5) A Member of the Assembly selected by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(6) A Senator selected by the President pro Tempore of the Senate.

(7) Community representatives, including individuals with lived experience of a mental health challenge, formerly unhoused individuals, formerly justice-involved persons and their family members, selected by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the President pro Tempore of the Senate.

Justification: As currently drafted, the Advisory Board would include “Community representatives, including formerly justice-involved persons…”. While justice-involved individuals are certainly one of many focus populations of the legislation, the main focus of the legislation is people with mental health challenges and people without homes. For this reason, it is imperative that those two populations are represented on the advisory board. People who have received services possess unique knowledge and expertise vital to the success of the initiative.

II. Page 27. Amend Welfare & Institutions Code Section 5806 to clarify that provision should be made for full participation of the family only when requested by the individual.

SEC. 27. Section 5806 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5806. (a) The State Department of Health Care Services shall establish service standards so that adults and older adults in the target population are identified and receive needed and appropriate services from qualified staff in the least restrictive environment to assist them to live independently, work, and thrive in their communities. The department shall provide annual oversight of counties for compliance with these requirements that shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

1) Determination of the numbers of clients to be served and the programs and services that will be provided to meet their needs.

(2) The local director of behavioral health shall consult with the sheriff, the police chief, the probation officer, chief of emergency medical services, the behavioral health board, Medi-Cal managed care plans, Page 3 of 5 as defined in subdivision (j) of Section 14184.101, child welfare departments, contract providers and agencies, and family, client, ethnic, and citizen constituency groups, as determined by the director.

(3) (A) Outreach to adults with a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder to provide coordination and access to behavioral health services, medications, housing interventions pursuant to Section 5830, supportive services, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 5887, and veterans’ services.

(B) Service planning shall include evaluation strategies that consider cultural, linguistic, gender, age, and special needs of the target populations.

(C) Provision shall be made for a workforce with the cultural background and linguistic skills necessary to remove barriers to mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services due to limitedEnglish-speaking ability and cultural differences.

(D) Recipients of outreach services may include families, the public, primary care physicians, hospitals, including emergency departments, behavioral health urgent care, and others who are likely to come into contact with individuals who may be suffering from either an untreated serious mental illness or substance use disorder, or both, who would likely become homeless or incarcerated if the illness continued to be untreated for a substantial period of time.

(E) Outreach to adults may include adults voluntarily or involuntarily hospitalized as a result of a serious mental illness.

(4) Provision for services for populations with identified disparities in behavioral health outcomes.

(5) Provision for full participation of the family in all aspects of assessment, service planning, and treatment, including, but not limited to, family support and consultation services, parenting support and consultation services, and peer support or self-help group support, When requested by where appropriate for the individual.

Justification: Section 5806, details behavioral health services for adults and older adults. All adults, regardless of diagnosis or life experience, have the autonomy to decide what is best or most appropriate for them. As currently written, Section 5806 (a)(5) would require the involvement of families in all aspects of a person’s care, when an unnamed person determines that this is appropriate for the individual. Families often include complicated dynamics, with internal disagreement about the services most appropriate for an individual with behavioral health challenges. Allowing a third party to allow family involvement in an individual’s care against that person’s wishes risks violations of privacy, autonomy, HIPAA, and possibly civil rights.

III. Page 66. Amend Section 5845 to include two Transition Age Youth (TAY) aged 16-26 at the time of appointment on the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

5845. (a) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission is hereby established to administer grants, identify key policy issues and emerging best practices, and promote high-quality programs implemented pursuant to Section 5892 through the examination of data and outcomes.

(b) (1) The commission shall replace the advisory committee established pursuant to Section 5814.

(2) The commission shall consist of 22 voting members as follows:

(A) The Attorney General or the Attorney General’s designee.

(B) The Superintendent of Public Instruction or the Superintendent’s designee.

(C) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Human Services, or another member of the Senate selected by the President pro Tempore of the Senate.

(D) The Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Health or another Member of the Assembly selected by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(E) A county behavioral health director.

F) (i) The following individuals, all appointed by the Governor:

(I) One adult or older adult who has or who has had a serious mental illness.

(II) One adult or older adult who has or who has had a substance use disorder.

(III) Two Transition Age Youth ages 16-26 at the time of appointment to the Commission.

(IV) A family member of an adult or older adult with a serious mental illness.

Justification: The voices of people with lived experience are essential to the BHSOAC, and family members should never outnumber people with lived experience on boards or commissions. People with lived experience possess unique and vital knowledge that is separate and distinct from the knowledge possessed by family members.

Currently, SB 326 includes 4 family members and 2 individuals with lived experience. MHAC recommends that there be two additional people with lived experience on the BHSOAC, and these members should be Transition Age Youth (TAY). Half of the family representation in SB 326 is parents of children and youth. This is because the needs and experiences of children and youth with behavioral health challenges are very different than the needs and experiences of adults. When parents are represented, TAY should be equally represented to complement the family perspectives. Youth and young adults on commissions are often subject to tokenism. To avoid tokenism, it is essential that at least two TAY serve on the BHSOAC to provide support and encourage dialogue.

IV. Page 193. Section 18 should be amended to remove (b) which would repeal the original language of the MHSA allowing the Legislature to amend the Act by a two-thirds vote if amendments are consistent with and further the intent of the Act.

Sec. 18. (a) This act shall be broadly construed to accomplish its purposes. All of the provisions of this act may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature so long as such amendments are consistent with and further the intent of this act. The Legislature may by majority vote add provisions to clarify procedures and terms including the procedures for the collection of the tax surcharge imposed by Section 12 of this act.

(b) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.

Justification: SB 326 significantly changes the MHSA amongst a number of other changes to behavioral health care in California. It is likely that over time, the Legislature will seek to clarify or change the BHSA. This option must be preserved.

V. Page 194. Amend Section 106 (b) to require the department to adopt regulations by July 1, 2028.

SEC. 106. (a) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific the amendments made pursuant to this act by means of plan or county letters, information notices, plan or provider bulletins, or other similar instructions without taking further regulatory action.

(b) By July 1, 2028 2033, the department shall adopt regulations necessary to implement, interpret, or make specific the amendments made pursuant to this act, except for the additions of Article 3 (commencing with Section 5964) of Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 5965) of Part 7 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

Justification: As currently drafted, SB 326 allows the department to implement the amendments to the act through internal documents such as information notices and bulletins. These internal documents require no stakeholder involvement and do not have appeal processes, and thus are enforceable documents written by a small group of people. Furthermore, once implemented, information notices, bulletins, and similar documents tend to become precedent, and are difficult to change through the regulatory process. We understand that the regulatory process takes time, but 8 years is excessive. Three years is a reasonable timeframe in which to draft regulations with meaningful stakeholder input.

MHAC appreciates the opportunity to offer suggested amendments to SB 326 to strengthen the peer voice within the BHSA. We have additional concerns with the legislation that will be detailed in a forthcoming letter. Please reach out to me or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, if you have any questions about these proposed amendments.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk

President & CEO

Coalition Letter to Governor Newsom – Re: 2023-24 Budget Items that Expand Access to Programs for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly

June 2, 2023

Governor Gavin Newsom
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: 2023-24 Budget Items that Expand Access to Programs for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly – Support

Dear Governor Newsom,
Our organizations strongly support the inclusion of two items in the final 2023-24 budget that would expand access to Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) – a comprehensive, whole-person health care program for frail seniors living with chronic health conditions and other complex needs while allowing them to remain in their homes and communities. PACE improves quality of life for seniors while costing on average 15 percent less than the cost of caring for a comparable population through other Medi-Cal services.

  1. Funding for DHCS to Regulate and Manage PACE
    In Governor Newsom’s 2023 Budget, the Administration allocated 10 new positions to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to administer and oversee PACE. These additional positions will increase capacity for the Department, helping to ensure that new PACE centers can open without unnecessary delays while providing proper oversight. This funding should remain in the final 2023-24 budget to increase access to PACE for California seniors.
  2. Prevent Fragile California Seniors from Losing Health Care Coverage
    Nearly 70% of all PACE participants are dually eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare, but it can be challenging for frail seniors to navigate the Medi-Cal re-enrollment process. Any interruptions in coverage can be dire for the high-needs seniors PACE serves. The Legislature should include a 3-month deeming period to ensure that frail seniors do not lose access to needed health care services over small bureaucratic errors. This item would bring PACE in line with other Medi-Cal programs that provide this kind of grace period.

We urge you to include these 2 items in the final 2023 budget to ensure that California seniors can receive the care they need.

Sincerely,
Marketa Houskova, Executive Director
American Nurses Association\California

Sarita Kohli, President & CEO
Asian Americans for Community Involvement

Dr. Renee M. Poole, President
Association of Black Women Physicians

Sarah Bridge, Senior Legislative Advocate
Association of California Healthcare Districts

Jose Barrera, State Director
California League of United Latin American Citizens

Sawait Seyoum, Senior Policy Advocate
Disability Rights California

Amber King, Vice President of Legislative Affairs
LeadingAge California

Heidi L. Strunk, President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

Cyndi Hillery, Vice President of Government Affairs
WelbeHealth

CC: Senator Angelique Ashby
Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua
Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 on Health & Human Services Members
Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 Consultant Scott Ogus
Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health & Human Services Members
Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 Consultant Andrea Margolis

Coalition Letter Re: 2023-24 State Budget Proposal

June 1, 2023

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
1315 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

The Honorable Toni Atkins
Senate President Pro Tem
1021 O Street, Suite 8518
Sacramento, CA 95814

The Honorable Anthony Rendon
Speaker of the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 219
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: 2023-24 State Budget Proposal

Dear Governor Newsom, Pro Tem Atkins, and Speaker Rendon:

As members of the Skills for CA Network, we respectfully urge you to protect key investments in workforce development, education, and social safety net as you consider pending budget priorities. Skills for CA is a statewide network of organizations advancing workforce development policies that remove systemic barriers and promote an inclusive economy for all Californians.

Despite this year’s budget shortfall, we thank Governor Newsom for largely maintaining historic investments made in previous years, such as funding to support community colleges, returning students, and advance career technical education and workforce training programs intended to provide economic mobility for underserved Californians. However, there are various budget proposals still pending that seek to advance economic mobility in California’s most underserved communities.

The Skills for CA Network urges the Administration and the Legislature to reject funding reductions and delays to workforce development and social safety net programs that aim to provide economic opportunity to underserved communities – many of whom continue to face employment barriers, struggle to pay rent, put food on the table, pay for child care, and cover healthcare costs.

Based on our vision to remove systemic barriers and promote an inclusive economy for all Californians, we respectfully urge you to protect investments and support the following budget items related to education, training, workforce development, and social safety net.

Protect Higher Education Investments for Returning Students & Opportunity Youth

  • Support Community College Investments. The May Revision proposes an increase of $25.4 million in ongoing investment to reflect a change in the cost-of-living adjustment from 8.13% to 8.22%, in addition to the same COLA increase for select categorical programs and the Adult Education Program. We urge our state leaders to maintain these investments.
  • Support Cradle to Career Data System Investments. The May Revision maintains funding to support the Office of the Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System, adding 10 new positions, reclassification of four existing positions, and $4.9 million General Fund in fiscal year 2023-24 and ongoing to fund and manage the data system’s capacity efforts. The data system will provide tools to help students reach their career goals & provide critical information on education and workforce outcomes. We urge our state leaders to continue investments in the data system.
  • Invest in Student Financial Aid Access – Cal Grant Reform 2024. We appreciate the acknowledgment by the Administration to continue its commitment to implement Cal Grant Reform in 2024, depending on future state revenues. California has made some strides in removing Cal Grant access barriers, such as removing the time-out-of-high school and age eligibility requirements. However, as budget negotiations continue that could impact next year’s fiscal outlook, we urge our state leaders to prioritize key investments for Cal Grant Reform implementation.

Protect Social Safety Net Programs for Working Families

  • Invest in Food for All. We thank the Governor for maintaining the commitment to expand the CA Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for undocumented immigrants 55 years or older and providing access to food benefits sooner than anticipated – from January 2027 to now October 2025. However, undocumented immigrants 54 and under continue to experience food insecurity and without access to CFAP. We urge our state leaders to invest in food access for all Californians regardless of age and immigration status.
  • Invest in a Social Safety Net for Undocumented Workers. The May Revision does not include funding to support the legislature’s proposal to create the Excluded Workers Program, which would provide workers who are ineligible for unemployment insurance due to their immigration status with $300 per week for up to 20 weeks – continuing to hinder the lives of working immigrants who continue to be left out of our state’s prosperity. We urge our state leaders to invest in strategies that will truly advance a California for All.
  • Expand Child Care Access. We thank the Governor for investing $6.6 billion to support child care programs, including waiving family fees until September 30, 2023, an 8.22% COLA increase, and $169.2 million in federal funding to provide temporary stipends to state-subsidized child care providers. However, the May Revision does not include increase child care provider rates for 2023-24. Providers are struggling to afford basic needs because their rates have not kept pace with minimum wage. We urge our state leaders to invest in both childcare access and the workforce.

Protect Workforce Development Programs That Support CA’s Economy

  • Reject Trigger Cuts to the CA Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC). The budget proposes to cut $20 million from the $60 million that was promised in last year’s budget. If there are sufficient resources, funding will be restored in 2024. The CYLC program would expand earn-and-learn pathways for community college students to prepare youth paid low incomes – including youth of color, opportunity youth, and immigrant youth – for community change careers in public/community health, clean energy planning/development, leadership, and social change. CYLC works to offer courses that lead to postsecondary credentials, student supports, mentoring, and paid internships. We urge our state leaders to reject this trigger cut and ensure dollars are restored to this critical program for underserved youth who continue to face barriers to workforce opportunities.
  • Maintain Investments in the Youth Jobs Corps Program. The budget proposes $78 million to permanently fund the Youth Jobs Corps, a program to create and expand youth employment opportunities that provide valuable job skills, public service career pathways, and help youth engage with their communities, including providing pathways to undocumented youth with work authorization. We urge our state leaders to maintain this investment in the final budget.
  • Reject Trigger Cuts to the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund. The budget proposes to cut $40 million to the $175 million commitment to the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund. The apprenticeship fund would expand non-traditional apprenticeships in the state. We urge our state leaders to reject this trigger cut to secure more earn and learn opportunities for underserved Californians and bolster the state’s workforce.
  • Maintain the Women in Construction Unit. The May Revision restores $15 million in 2023-24 and $15 million in 2024-25 for the Department of Industrial Relation’s Women in Construction Priority Unit – intended to support women and nonbinary individuals in the skilled trades sector. We urge our state leaders to keep this investment in the final budget.
  • Invest in Breaking Barriers to Employment Grants. Although we are grateful for past investments in the Breaking Barriers to Employment program, Californians need ongoing support to access training programs that lead them to family-sustaining jobs. The Breaking Barriers to Employment program provides individuals from underserved communities supplemental, supportive, and wraparound services they need to successfully enter, participate in, and complete workforce and education programs, with the goal of obtaining meaningful and family-sustaining jobs. We urge our state leaders to invest $30 million in the program to continue serving individuals with significant barriers to employment.

As budget discussions continue in the coming weeks, California must remain a leader in centering equity and economic mobility for all Californians. We look forward to working with the Administration, Legislature, and partners to advance our shared goal of removing systemic barriers and building an inclusive economy for all Californians.

For any questions, please contact Anna Alvarado at aalvarado@caedge.org.

Sincerely,

California Opportunity Youth Network
Sean Hughes
Policy Director

California Youth Empowerment Network
Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator

Alliance for Boys and Men of Color
(ABMoC)
Eric Morrison-Smith
Executive Director

Mental Health America of California
Heidi Strunk
President & CEO

Building Skills Partnership
Sylvia Romo
Director of Systems Change and Worker Voice

National Skills Coalition
Karina Paredes-Arzola
State Network Manager

UNITE-LA
Alysia Bell
President

California Immigrant Policy Center
Edgar Ortiz
Economic Justice Policy Analyst

Tipping Point Community
Talia Nagar
Senior Program Officer

CA EDGE Coalition
Zima Creason
Executive Director

Coalition Letter to the Department of Managed Healthcare – Re: Inclusion of Parity Compliance Reviews in Behavioral Health Investigations

May 31, 2023

Mary Watanabe, Director
Department of Managed Health Care
980 Ninth Street, Suite 500 Sacramento, CA 95814-2725

Re: Inclusion of Parity Compliance Reviews in Behavioral Health Investigations

Dear Director Watanabe,

As organizations committed to improving Californians’ access to mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) treatment and ending coverage discrimination against MH/SUD services, we write to express significant concerns about the Department of Managed Health Care’s (DMHC) efforts to determine compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). 1

Based on our previous interactions with DMHC staff and the scope of what was included in the budget change proposal to fund its Behavioral Health Investigations (BHIs), we understood that the DMHC was incorporating robust reviews of parity compliance into its BHIs. However, recent information from the DMHC indicates that the results of MHPAEA compliance reviews from the first round of five BHIs may not be made public and that future BHIs may not include MHPAEA compliance reviews. Because robust MHPAEA compliance reviews are essential to eliminating discriminatory treatment limitations and increasing access to treatment, our organizations request that the Department 1) release the results of all MHPAEA compliance reviews conducted to date and 2) conduct rigorous review of plans’ MHPAEA analyses as part of all future BHIs.

In the 2020-2021 state budget, the DMHC received $2.7 million to conduct BHIs of all full service commercial health plans to “further evaluate health plan compliance with parity and assess whether enrollees have consistent access to medically necessary behavioral health care services.”2 The legislature clearly intended that the DMHC thoroughly evaluate parity compliance as part of the BHIs when it approved the budget change proposal.

Fortuitously, shortly after passage of the budget, Congress amended MHPAEA to require commercial health plans to conduct detailed parity compliance analyses on each non- quantitative treatment limitation (NQTL) in each classification of care (i.e., in/out-of-networkoutpatient, in/out-of-network inpatient, prescription, and emergency).3 Commercial health plans were required to have such analyses, and to provide them to state regulators such as the DMHC upon request, starting on February 10, 2021. These new federal requirements have given the DMHC a powerful mechanism to obtain plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses, which are the only way to determine whether NQTLs are compliant with MHPAEA.

Given this powerful mechanism at the DMHC’s disposal, we were alarmed that the proposed BHI Technical Assistance Guide (TAG), which was released in November 2021 and contained the information that plans would be required to provide as part of the BHIs, did not include an evaluation of MHPAEA compliance. In providing feedback on the BHI TAG, several of our organizations urged the DMHC to request and thoroughly review each plan’s complete NQTL parity compliance analyses, as well as to collect quantitative comparative data on plans’ coverage of MH/SUD and physical health services. Based on this request, our organizations were grateful that DMHC contracted with national MHPAEA experts to help conduct the BHIs, including collecting and analyzing plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses. Our understanding is that, in its first five BHIs, the DMHC has requested and reviewed with expert assistance these plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses.

Yet, recently, we have reason to believe that the results of the NQTL parity compliance analyses reviews may not be included in the public BHI findings. Any failure to release the results of the parity compliance reviews as part of the public BHI findings would be deeply disturbing, particularly in light of our state’s ongoing MH/SUD crisis and the widespread parity non- compliance being uncovered by other state and federal regulators.

For instance, in the Biden Administration’s 2022 MHPAEA Report to Congress, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury found that all health plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses failed to demonstrate compliance. Common parity violations included limitations on autism services, limitations on medications for opioid use disorder, and prior authorization requirements.4

Other states have similarly found widespread non-compliance. For example, the Illinois Department of Insurance has issued numerous fines for parity violations based on their review of plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses.5 New York State has similarly found broad noncompliance, issuing fines and determining that health plans have broadly failed to demonstrate compliance with MHPAEA. 6

Investigations that do not examine and report on plans’ compliance with MHPAEA are fundamentally flawed and incomplete. And reviewing plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses must be the backbone of determinations of MHPAEA compliance. Furthermore, California must not attempt to rely on federal regulators to enforce MHPAEA. Federal regulators review only a small subset of plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses, and the primary federal regulator only has 1 investigator for every 12,500 plans. Congress recognized the primary role of state insurance regulators like the DMHC in enforcing MHPAEA when it required state-regulated plans to provide their NQTL parity compliance analyses to these regulators upon request. Californians deserve to have the DMHC conduct robust oversight to protect their rights. Therefore, we call upon the DMHC to release complete summaries of all reviews conducted of plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses when it releases the results of the BHIs. Furthermore, it is critical that the DMHC request and review plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses as part of all future BHIs, since no investigation of Californians’ access to MH/SUD services can be complete without a thorough review of parity.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss how the DMHC is incorporating robust reviews of plans’ NQTL parity compliance analyses into the BHIs. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lauren Finke (lauren@thekennedyforum.org).

  • 1 MHPAEA is incorporated into California law in Health and Safety Code Section 1375.76.
  • 2 DMHC Announcement on its Behavioral Health Focused Investigations, August 26, 2021. https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/Portals/0/Docs/OPM/Health%20Plan%20Changes_2021-08-26.pdf
  • 3 The NQTL parity compliance analyses requirements, which were enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, are located at 42 USC 300gg-26(a)(8).
  • 4 https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/laws-and-regulations/laws/mental-health-parity/report-to- congress-2022-realizing-parity-reducing-stigma-and-raising-awareness.pdf.
  • 5 See, for example: https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.25897.html. 6 See, for example: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/reports_and_publications/press_releases/pr202112141#:~:text=The%20overall%20DFS% 20monetary%20penalty,the%20Behavioral%20Health%20Ombudsman%20Program and https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/bho/docs/nys-mhpaea-report.pdf.

Sincerely,

Lauren Finke
The Kennedy Forum

Robb Layne
California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives

Adrienne Shilton
California Alliance of Child and Family Services

Cathy Atkins
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Chad Costello
California Association of Social Rehabilitation Agencies

Le Ondra Clark Harvey
California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies

Jennifer Alley
California Psychological Association

Paul Yoder
California State Association of Psychiatrists

Kimberly Andosca
California Society of Addiction Medicine

Heidi Strunk
Mental Health America – California

Karen Fessel, Dr. PH
Mental Health and Autism Insurance Project

Jessica Cruz, MPA/HS
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI- CA)

Paul Kumar
National Union of Healthcare Workers

Randall Hagar
Psychiatric Physicians Alliance of California

Corey Hashida
Steinberg Institute

AB 874 (WEBER) Healthcare Coverage Out-of-Pocket Expenses – Support

April 6, 2023

The Honorable Dr. Akilah Weber
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0079
Tel: (916) 319-2079

RE: Support for AB 874 (Weber)

Dear Assembly Member Weber:

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly 874 (Weber), legislation which would require a health care service plan, health insurance policy, other health coverage carrier, or pharmacy benefit manager that administers pharmacy benefits to apply any amounts paid by the enrollee, insured, or another source pursuant to a discount, repayment, product voucher, or other reduction to the enrollee’s or insured’s out-of-pocket expenses toward the enrollee’s or insured’s overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum, deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or applicable cost-sharing requirement under the enrollee’s or insured’s health care service plan, health insurance policy, or other health care coverage.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services.

The rising cost of medical care puts many people in a life-threatening position to refuse services and support out of fear of inability to pay. Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs for medication can cause an undue burden. While the use of discounts, product vouchers, and other copay support systems are used to alleviate the financial burden, insurance companies sometimes do not count those forms of payment towards the overall out-of-pocket maximums, forcing the insured to pay more for medicine or services. Assembly Bill 874 will make those indirect copayments count towards the maximum out-of-pocket expenses. This will improve access to medications and remove financial barriers for people with mental health challenges.

For these reasons, we support Assembly Bill 874. If you or your staff have any questions, or if Mental Health America of California can be of any assistance on this or any other behavioral health bill, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

SB 472 (HURTADO) Opioid Overdose Reversal Medication – Support

April 4, 2023

The Honorable Melissa Hurtado
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Room 7310
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for SB 472

Dear Senator Hurtado:

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support SB 472 (Hurtado), legislation which would require school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to maintain at least 2 doses of naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist for purposes of those authorizations and report information regarding naloxone hydrochloride or other opioid antagonists to the State Department of Public Health, Department of Education, and parents or guardians of pupils.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services.

Senate Bill 472 will ensure our schools are prepared to protect our youth in the event of an overdose. With the dramatic increase in Fentanyl poisoning, we know youth are now more susceptible and at risk. Youth who experience overdose can just as easily be first-time or infrequent users as individuals with a substance use issue. Requiring K-12 schools to maintain naloxone on campus will save countless children and youth in California. In addition, the use of these preventative measures will be reported to the state and to parents or guardians, granting full transparency about what is happening in our local community.

For these reasons, we support Senate Bill 472. If you or your staff have any questions, or if Mental Health America of California can be of any assistance on this or any other behavioral health bill, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

SB 509 (PORTANTINO) School Employee and Pupil Training and Education – Support

April 4, 2023

The Honorable Anthony J. Portantino
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Suite 7630
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for Senate Bill 509 (Portantino)

Dear Senator Portantino,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Senate Bill 509 (Portantino), legislation which would require the Department of Education to identify training programs that instruct on recognizing the signs and symptoms of youth behavioral health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major clinical depression, and anxiety disorders. In addition, the bill would require 75% of a local education agency’s classified and certified employees, who have direct contact with pupils at school, receive behavioral health training. Furthermore, it would require pupils to receive evidence-based, age-appropriate mental health education from instructors trained in the appropriate courses at least once in elementary school, at least once in junior high school or middle school, and at least once in high school.

MHAC is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services.

Teaching our youth about behavioral health in addition to having trained school employees to recognize the signs of behavioral health challenges is key to providing the best services and support in our schools. Behavioral health challenges can start at a young age and, when recognized, can be addressed with support and services that foster healthy child and youth development. Senate Bill 509 could help our youth self-identify behavioral health challenges and seek help due to the consistent behavioral health education from elementary through high school. It also trains our school personnel to be able to recognize the signs associated with behavioral health challenges, informing them of the best way to help.

For these reasons, we support Senate Bill 509. If you or your staff have any questions, or if Mental Health America of California can be of any assistance on this or any other behavioral health bill, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org. I

In Community,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

AB 19 (PATTERSON) Opioid Antagonist – Support

March 29, 2023

The Honorable Joe Patterson
State Assembly
1021 O St., Suite 4530
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: SUPPORT Assembly Bill 19 (Patterson)

Dear Assembly Member Patterson:

Mental Health America of California is pleased to support Assembly Bill 19 (Patterson), legislation which requires each school to have no less than two doses of naloxone onsite to be available to aid persons suffering from an opioid overdose.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. Along these lines, we support efforts which increase access to voluntary, culturally responsive, community-based behavioral health services.

Assembly Bill 19 will ensure our schools are prepared to protect our youth in the event of overdose. With the dramatic increase in Fentanyl poisoning, overdoses can happen with the ingestion of a single pill. Youth who experience overdose can just as easily be first-time or infrequent users as individuals with a substance use issue. Requiring K-12 schools to maintain naloxone on campus has the potential to save the lives of countless children and youth in California.

For these reasons, we SUPPORT Assembly Bill 19. If you or your staff have any questions, or if Mental Health America of California can be of any assistance on this or any other behavioral health bill, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org. In Community,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

SB 250 (UMBERG) Fentanyl Self-Reporting Immunity – Support

March 29, 2023

The Honorable Tom Umberg
State Senate
1021 O St., Suite 6530
Sacramento CA 95814

Re: Support for SB 250 (Umberg)

Dear Senator Umberg:

Mental Health America of California is pleased to support Senate Bill 250 (Umberg), legislation that expands California’s 911 Good Samaritan law to include self-reporting of fentanyl poisonings and opioid overdoses to law enforcement and medical assistance through fentanyl testing strips and other medical devices such as smart watches.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. Along these lines, we support efforts which increase access to voluntary, culturally responsive, community-based behavioral health services.

Overdoses frequently occur when an individual ingests a pill or other substance that has been laced with fentanyl. SB 250 will encourage the use of fentanyl testing strips by eliminating the criminalization that would otherwise result from the individual’s reporting of the fentanyl adulteration. In addition to guaranteeing that people receive help and not handcuffs, SB 250 provides an opportunity to get Fentanyl off the street and decrease further poisonings or overdoses from occurring to themselves and their community.

For these reasons, we support Senate Bill 250. If you or your staff have any questions, or if Mental Health America of California can be of any assistance on this or any other behavioral health bill, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California