During a recent Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting, Behavioral Health Director Scott Kennelly discussed significant changes coming with the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). This new act will replace the current Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which is funded by a 1% tax on Californians earning over $1 million a year. Currently, this tax accounts for about 30% of the county’s Behavioral Health budget.
Kennelly shared that the BHSA will limit how counties can use their funding. “The state is much more prescriptive on what we can and can’t fund,” he noted. A big change is that 30% of this budget must now go toward housing, a shift from their usual focus on treatment.
Traditionally, the department has emphasized mental health treatment, with only a small portion of resources allocated for housing. This new directive means they will need to adapt quickly. Kennelly mentioned that they are in talks with local providers to ensure everyone understands the new rules and can prepare for the upcoming changes.
Butte County Supervisor Todd Kimmelshue raised concerns about prioritizing housing over mental health services. He argued that many individuals experiencing homelessness also struggle with mental health and addiction issues, and he believes more funding should focus on addressing those needs first.
This new emphasis on housing reflects a wider trend in California. According to a recent survey by the California Health Care Foundation, nearly 70% of Californians support increasing funding for services that integrate housing with mental health care. This indicates a growing awareness of the complex relationship between housing and mental well-being.
As the BHSA is implemented, it will be interesting to see how counties adapt to these changes and whether housing initiatives can successfully pair with mental health treatment to create a more cohesive approach to support those in need.
For more information on California’s approach to behavioral health and housing, check the California Health Care Foundation for detailed reports.
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Butte County,Behavioral Health Services Act,Funding,Mental Health Services Act,Housing,Treatment,Addiction,Supervisor Todd Kimmelshue
