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Proposition 1
OVERVIEW
In March 2024, the voters of California approved Proposition 1, which will transform behavioral health statewide. This proposition was created as an answer to the homelessness and serious mental health and substance use issues that very often walk hand-in-hand and have presented ongoing challenges to communities across the state and nation.
170,000 Californians are unhoused and, of these, about two thirds have a behavioral health issue, while only 19% have received treatment. Proposition 1 seeks to dramatically change these statistics.
Proposition 1 included a bond to build supportive housing and 10,000 treatment beds across the state and reallocates existing mental health funding streams to support people with the most significant behavioral health needs.
Key components include:
In order to seek efficiencies and the best uses of funding, other changes will take place, including:
- Prevention funding will be mostly directed and disseminated from state level (California Department of Public Health)
- No population-based services at the local level, all mental health promotional work will be done at the state level
- In light of the state’s focus on housing and full-service partnerships, BHSA (previously MHSA) funds for outpatient services and community support services will decrease
IN OUR COMMUNITY
Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) has begun internal assessments and engagement with external stakeholders and collaborating agencies, while participating in statewide listening sessions and is awaiting additional guidance from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). See the VCBH resources below for more details.
Click to view VCBH Stakeholder Engagement Update
As we look ahead to the implementation of Proposition 1, which will be fully launched by July 1, 2026, not all mechanisms are currently in place or yet decided upon. Stakeholder input is key to this process. Please bookmark this page and check back regularly to receive up to date information on the Proposition 1 rollout.
PROPOSITION 1 RESOURCES
Ventura County Behavioral Health
- Health Care Agency Presentation to Ventura County Board of Supervisors, May 14, 2024, Agenda Item 60
- Prop 1 BHAB Presentation, August 2024 – English
- Prop 1 BHAB Presentation, August 2024 – Spanish
- Dr. Denering’s Presentation to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, December 10, 2024, Agenda Item 74
- For additional information on Proposition 1, please contact MSHA@ventura.org
DHCS (Department of Health Care Services)
- Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Transformation Overview:
www.dhcs.ca.gov/BHT/Pages/home.aspx - DHCS Prop 1 Resource Page: www.dhcs.ca.gov/BHT/Pages/Resources.aspx
- Stakeholder engagement (includes previous DHCS Listening Sessions):
www.dhcs.ca.gov/BHT/Pages/Stakeholder-Engagement.aspx - Mailing list: Sign up to receive DHCS’ BHT stakeholder updates
CDPH (California Department of Public Health)
- CDPH – Transforming Behavioral Health:
www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPP/Pages/Behavioral-Health.aspx - Partner and Community Engagement:
www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPP/Pages/Engagement.aspx
The two legislative bills that created the language in Proposition 1 are:
- Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) SB 326
- Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act AB 531
