HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.11.26 Board Correspondence - FW_ Support for Butte County Behavioral Health Programs at Risk.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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From:Clerk of the Board
To:BOS
Cc:Kennelly, Scott; Nuzum, Danielle
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Support for Butte County Behavioral Health Programs at Risk
Date:Monday, May 11, 2026 4:36:20 PM
Please see Board Correspondence below.
From: Charlie Smith <smiley66552@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2026 4:28 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.ca.gov>
Subject: Support for Butte County Behavioral Health Programs at Risk
Dear Butte County Board of Supervisors,
I am writing to express deep concern regarding the planned discontinuation and restructuring
of behavioral health funding contracts affecting several trusted community programs in Butte
County.
These organizations provide critical, specialized care for vulnerable and marginalized
members of our community, including LGBTQ+ individuals, unhoused people, seniors,
people with disabilities, those struggling with mental health or substance use, and culturally
specific communities that often face barriers to accessing care. Many of these programs have
built trust over years of service, and that trust cannot be easily replaced or recreated through
sudden funding transitions.
The short timeline between the release of new RFPs and the June 30th contract end date
creates serious risk for service disruption. Without a clear continuity plan, thousands of
residents may lose access to essential support systems they rely on for stability, recovery,
housing assistance, advocacy, and crisis prevention.
I urge the county to:
Extend or stabilize funding during the transition period to prevent interruptions in
care.
Increase transparency regarding how these programs were selected for
discontinuation.
Collaborate directly with affected providers and community members before final
decisions are made.
Prioritize continuity of care and long-term sustainable funding pathways for these
services.
Public health services are not optional resources — they are lifelines. Destabilizing established
community programs without adequate transition planning risks causing lasting harm to
individuals who already face significant challenges accessing support.
Please listen to the voices of community members, staff, clients, and families who depend on
these programs every day.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Charlie A. Smith