HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.30.26 For Immediate Release - MHSA to BHSA Program ChangesFrom:Olio, Kristi
To:BOS
Cc:Nuzum, Danielle
Subject:For Immediate Release - MHSA to BHSA Program Changes
Date:Thursday, April 30, 2026 4:52:07 PM
Attachments:For Immediate Release - MHSA to BHSA Program Changes 4.30.26.pdf
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Good afternoon, Members of the Board -
The following press release will be issued to the media shortly.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Kind regards,Kristi
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 30, 2026
MEDIA CONTACTSam CasaleSr. Program ManagerButte County Department of Behavioral Health530.552.2728
BUTTE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REMINDS COMMUNITY OF UPCOMINGPROGRAM CHANGES DUE TO SHIFT IN STATE FUNDING
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – Starting July 1, 2026, California will transition from the MentalHealth Services Act (MHSA) to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). This changefollows the approval of Proposition 1 by California voters in 2024. The MHSA wasestablished in 2004 through Proposition 63 and provided funding for community-basedmental health programs. The State’s updated BHSA significantly shifts its fundingpriorities and program allocations, moving away from community services to prioritizehousing interventions, substance use treatment services, and early behavioral healthInterventions.
As a result of this funding shift, many effective community-based mental healthprograms will no longer be eligible for BHSA funding or support. Butte County sincerelyvalues the dedicated partners and staff who have made significant contributions tothese longstanding services and positively affected the lives of countless Butte CountyResidents.
Throughout 2025 and 2026, the Butte County Department of Behavioral Health (BCDBH)conducted outreach with contracted programs, community members, and stakeholdersto share information on the change, provide guidance, and gather input on BHSA
implementation. Following the guidance, many of the impacted programs securedalternative funding to continue their work. Decisions regarding program changes wereguided by community and stakeholder feedback, State regulatory requirements fromthe Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and guidance from County HumanResources related to staff and operations.
We acknowledge the significance of this transition on our community and will continueto advocate for the needs of Butte County residents and encourage impactedcommunity-based programs to pursue state funding opportunities. Additionally, BCDBHplans to soon release the following BHSA RFPs: Operational Subsidies for HousingProviders, Early Intervention Access and Linkage Program, and Vocational Program RFP(Non-BHSA funds).
For questions regarding BHSA, please contact us at MHSA@buttecounty.ca.gov
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Kristi OlioCommunications/Public Information Officer Butte County Administration25 County Center Drive, Suite 200 • Oroville, CA 95965T: 530.552.3352 | M: 530.280.6820 www.buttecounty.net | kolio@buttecounty.ca.gov
Department of Behavioral Health
Scott Kennelly, LCSW, Director, Alcohol and Drug Administrator
3217 Cohasset Road
Chico, California 95973 T: 530.891.2850 buttecounty.net/behavioralhealth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
Sam Casale
Sr. Program Manager
Butte County Department of Behavioral Health
530.552.2728
BUTTE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REMINDS COMMUNITY OF UPCOMING
PROGRAM CHANGES DUE TO SHIFT IN STATE FUNDING
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – Starting July 1, 2026, California will transition from the Mental
Health Services Act (MHSA) to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). This change
follows the approval of Proposition 1 by California voters in 2024. The MHSA was
established in 2004 through Proposition 63 and provided funding for community-based
mental health programs. The State’s updated BHSA significantly shifts its funding
priorities and program allocations, moving away from community services to prioritize
housing interventions, substance use treatment services, and early behavioral health
interventions.
As a result of this funding shift, many effective community-based mental health
programs will no longer be eligible for BHSA funding or support. Butte County sincerely
values the dedicated partners and staff who have made significant contributions to
these longstanding services and positively affected the lives of countless Butte County
residents.
Throughout 2025 and 2026, the Butte County Department of Behavioral Health (BCDBH)
conducted outreach with contracted programs, community members, and stakeholders
to share information on the change, provide guidance, and gather input on BHSA
implementation. Following the guidance, many of the impacted programs secured
alternative funding to continue their work. Decisions regarding program changes were
guided by community and stakeholder feedback, State regulatory requirements from
the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and guidance from County Human
Resources related to staff and operations.
Department of Behavioral Health
Scott Kennelly, LCSW, Director, Alcohol and Drug Administrator
3217 Cohasset Road
Chico, California 95973 T: 530.891.2850 buttecounty.net/behavioralhealth
We acknowledge the significance of this transition on our community and will continue
to advocate for the needs of Butte County residents and encourage impacted
community-based programs to pursue state funding opportunities. Additionally, BCDBH
plans to soon release the following BHSA RFPs: Operational Subsidies for Housing
Providers, Early Intervention Access and Linkage Program, and Vocational Program RFP
(Non-BHSA funds).
For questions regarding BHSA, please contact us at
MHSA@buttecounty.ca.gov
###