Current Activities

State Level Advocacy

 SUPPORT: Governor Newsom’s Care Court Intervention Proposal

This proposal would create mental health courts in every county, enabling evaluation and treatment for those with severe mental health and addiction disorders who are unable to care for themselves. The proposal adds $2B to the mental health budget.

This proposal builds on Governor Newsom’s $14 billion multi-year investment to provide 55,000 new housing units and treatment slots as well as more than $10 billion annual investment in community behavioral health services. The Governor’s comprehensive approach combines a focus on bridge housing to quickly rehouse unsheltered individuals with behavioral health issues, all while more new units come online, and transforming Medical to provide more behavioral health services to people who are struggling the most.

https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Fact-Sheet-CARE-Court-1.pdf

References:

https://www.sfchronicle/sf/bayarea/heatherknight/article/Mentally-ill-people-in-S-F-are-cycling-in-and-16987694.php

SUPPORT: AB2377—Enacted:

EBSHC helped achieve passage AB2377 (2019/2020—Davd Chiu). AB2377 requires Board and Care operators to give county and city governments advance notice before closure, thus enabling the jurisdiction to arrange purchase if possible. We also advocated for the $550 million that was included in the State budget for the adaptation, lease, and possible purchase of residential buildings to be used as Board and Care facilities.

https://openstates.org/a/bills/2019/2020/AB2377/

AB2377 responded to a steady decrease in the number of Board and Care homes (aka Adult Residential Facilities—ARFs) throughout the State. Board and Care facilities are critical resources for individuals with SMI who are able to live stable lives with some support services. They are also the crucial link in the continuum of care for persons with SMI after acute and sub-acute care. Our goal is to maintain and expand the existing supply and facilitate the possibility of purchasing Board and Cares before they go out of business.