Articles

Whether or not California Proposition 1 will pass is no longer the issue. Passing by the narrowest margins, 50.2% to 49.8%, Governor Gavin Newsome’s new legislation to revamp mental health (MH) services statewide is now on the books. Hence, the question now is what the ongoing impact of the passing of Prop. 1 will be.

As a provider of MH services across Los Angeles County, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) understands the challenge of MH treatment. Thus, TTC supports the efforts of California Proposition 1 and the expansion of service offerings for people with mental health difficulties. The new legislation provides billions of dollars to fund housing and treatment facilities for mentally ill Californians, offering a chance for people to get back on their feet.

The Impact of California Proposition 1

Most significantly, the passage of the two-pronged ballot measure will give California the funds to fulfill the Governor’s MH policies. Hence, Prop. 1’s goals are more housing, more treatment beds, and a concerted focus on unhoused people with serious mental illnesses. Indeed, the new funding opens the door for many people in dire straits to receive the help they need.

As the Governor said last year, “California is undertaking a major overhaul of our mental health system. The mental health crisis affects us all, and people who need the most help have been too often overlooked. We are working to ensure no one falls through the cracks, and that people get the help they need and the respect they deserve.”

Moving Forward with Mental Health Support

California Proposition 1 includes a $6.4 billion bond for treatment beds and permanent supportive housing. It also requires counties to spend more of the mental health funds they receive on services for chronically homeless people. California is addressing a massive concern for many citizens by focusing on housing people experiencing homelessness. Moreover, adding transitional, bridge, and recovery housing options will keep people off the streets and in secure environments.

In addition, Governor Newsome hopes California Proposition 1’s passing opens the door for other initiatives moving forward. Some examples include:

• A $4.7 billion package of programs for children and youth mental health.
• Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Courts are new court systems focusing on people with serious mental illness.
• A new law that makes it easier to force certain people with serious mental illnesses into involuntary treatment. The goal is to amend the definition of grave disability.
• A statewide effort to expand and streamline access to mental health care for people insured by Medi-Cal — California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM).

Overall, TTC believes that California Proposition 1 is a move in the right direction. Although requiring investment, all these programs help Californians in the greatest need. Indeed, they address problems that once caused citizens in the state to avert their eyes and shake their heads.