HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.25.26 Board Correspondence - FW_ Support for SB 43.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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From:Clerk of the Board
To:Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod;
Kitts, Melissa; Krater, Sharleen; Lee, Lewis; Little, Melissa; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.;
Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth; Kennelly, Scott
Cc:Nuzum, Danielle
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Support for SB 43
Date:Monday, January 26, 2026 9:57:06 AM
Attachments:Support for SB 43.docx
Please see Board Correspondence -
From: Melissa Kavalich <pearltulip@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2026 3:17 PM
To: Phipps, Colleen (Retired) <cmphipps@csuchico.edu>; Kennelly, Scott
<SKennelly@buttecounty.net>; Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Support for SB 43
Good afternoon,
Attached is a letter in support of SB 43. I believe the implementation will improve the
quality of life for all California residents. I’m equally glad to see that steps are being
taken in our community to make this happen. I believe Colleen Phipps, President of
NAMI Butte County, represents my thoughts in support of our county’s efforts to
collaborate with other county and state officials to make this our reality.
Thank you for your time and energy regarding SB 43.
Sincerely,
Melissa Kavalich
Support for SB 43
January 25, 2026
To Whom It May Concern,
I am in support of funding for the services necessary in the implementation of SB 43. I have
been caring for an adult son who has shown significant deterioration in his mental health since
2014. He has a number of criminal court cases involving restraining orders, cannot cook or
shop for himself, refuses medical treatment due to anosognosia, suffers from hallucinations and
delusions. During one of the court cases in October of 2024 he had a court ordered forensic
evaluation and was found incapacitated and the case was dismissed. He will not use soap or
shampoo for weeks or months at a time and does not use over the counter medication or
bandages to prevent infection. He is not able to drive, manage his finances, maintain
employment or discern safety from danger. There are times that I have had to remind him to
eat and drink. I cannot have knives or other objects in the home, per request of Butte County
Behavioral Health and Law Enforcement, that could cause him or others harm. He has regularly
damaged walls, furniture and appliances in the home with his hands and feet and it causes him
injury. He is not able to manage a cell phone or California ID. I have had to do all tasks related
to his emotional, mental and physical care for appointments and types of recreational
entertainment.
My son has gone missing, living on the streets, traveling alone without money or cell phone for
days, weeks and months at a time. He loses weight and is easily taken advantage of by others
while missing. Currently he is in the missing person system since June/July of 2025. This is the
second long round of him missing on the streets. Most recently when he was contacted by law
enforcement Dereck refused all resources and said “no” to getting a cell phone and ID. Officers
in San Bernardino County were afraid of him wandering out into traffic, which he is known to do.
One of the officers provided a photo of him on Christmas and he has lost weight, and is dirty. I
am working with the VA to secure his benefits which he requests repeatedly to have zeroed out.
He is 100% disabled. There is an active CARE Court case in Butte County and I have applied
in San Bernardino County in hopes of saving his life.
The implementation of SB 43 will improve the health of residents, our county, state and nation. I
realize this is only for our county and state at this time but I do see how this can improve the
lives of Americans with mental health and substance use disorders and their loved ones.
Sincerely,
Melissa Kavalich