Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)

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About BHSA

Approved by voters in 2024 through Proposition 1, the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) represents a significant transformation in California’s approach to behavioral health. The BHSA replaces the former Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and expands the state’s focus beyond mental health to include substance use disorder treatment.

Building on the foundation established by the MHSA, the BHSA creates a more integrated and comprehensive system of care recognizing that mental health and substance use challenges often overlap and require coordinated support. This shift aims to better meet the diverse and evolving behavioral health needs of individuals, families, and communities across the state.

BHSA will officially take effect on July 1, 2026.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) approved the Madera County Department of Behavioral Health Services (MCDBHS) 3-Year Integrated Plan on July 13, 2026.

This state approval allows the county to put our newly structured local, state, and federal health funding budget into immediate action.

Why This Matters

Following approval from the Madera County Board of Supervisors and DHCS, this three-year plan (Fiscal Years 2026-2029) blends all behavioral health funding into a unified framework. This structure maximizes local support for residents facing severe mental health challenges and substance use disorders.

What Happens Next?

MCDBHS is transitioning services into this new framework. Programs will roll out across Madera over the coming weeks.

Major Changes:

Who We Serve:

The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) provides funding to support services for eligible children, youth, adults, and older adults who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, the most serious mental health conditions or substance use disorders.
We serve individuals who may be:

Experiencing homelessness
At risk of incarceration or justice involvement
Re-entering the community from a justice setting
At risk of conservatorship
In foster care or transitioning out of foster care
At risk of institutionalization
Living with complex behavioral health needs requiring comprehensive support

Our programs are designed to reduce barriers, promote recovery, and ensure individuals receive the right level of care at the right time.

New BHSA Funding Categories:

The Behavioral Health Services Act allocates funding across three main areas to support county behavioral health systems. Each funding category is designed to ensure communities receive a full continuum of prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery, and housing supports.

Behavioral Health Services and Supports – 35%
This category includes a wide range of services such as early intervention, outreach and engagement, workforce development, education and training, capital facilities, technological needs, and innovative pilots or projects.

A majority (51%) of this funding must support early intervention for mental health or substance use disorders.
A majority (51%) of early intervention services must benefit individuals 25 years of age and younger.

Full Service Partnerships (FSP) – 35%
FSP programs provide comprehensive, intensive, “whatever it takes” services for individuals of any age with the most complex behavioral health needs. These programs focus on recovery, stability, and community integration.

Housing Interventions – 30%
This funding supports a continuum of housing-related services, including rental subsidies, operating subsidies, shared housing, family housing for eligible children and youth, and the non-federal share of certain transitional rent programs.

Half (50%) of this funding is prioritized for housing interventions for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
Up to 25% may be used for capital development.

County Flexibility
Counties may shift up to 7% of funding from one category to another—up to a maximum increase of 14% in any single category to address local needs and priorities. All adjustments must be informed by data and community input.

Stronger Coordination of Care:

The Behavioral Health Services Act strengthens coordination across the entire behavioral health system by enhancing collaboration between mental health and substance use treatment programs. This integrated approach ensures individuals receive seamless, person‑centered care whether they are accessing prevention services, treatment, crisis support, housing, or ongoing recovery services. By aligning providers, improving communication, and reducing fragmentation, the County can deliver more effective, consistent, and timely care at every point in a person’s journey.

Increased Stakeholder Engagement & Oversight

The Behavioral Health Services Act strengthens public participation and accountability by expanding opportunities for community members, consumers, families, providers, and partners to be actively involved in planning, decision making, and evaluation. Through structured community engagement, transparent reporting, and enhanced oversight requirements, the County ensures that services and investments reflect local needs and priorities. This approach promotes shared responsibility, clear communication, and continual system improvement driven by the voices of those most impacted.