Adult and/or Youth Early Intervention

In recent years, California has undertaken historic efforts to re-envision the state's publicly funded mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services, with a special focus on county administered specialty mental health and substance use disorder services. In March 2024, voters approved Proposition 1 to reform the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), and fund needed behavioral health facility infrastructure through a general obligation bond. The efforts to implement Proposition 1 are referred to as Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). Under BHSA, each county must establish and administer an Early Intervention program that are designed to prevent mental illnesses and substance use disorders from becoming severe and disabling and to reduce disparities in behavioral health. Early Intervention funds may also be used to provide supports and services to parents and caregivers. County Early Intervention programs must emphasize the reduction of the likelihood of the following adverse outcomes for BHSA eligible individuals: Suicide and self-harm Incarcerations School suspension, expulsion, referral to an alternative or community school, or failure to complete (inclusive of early childhood zero to five years of age, Transitional Kindergarten (TK)-12, and higher education) Unemployment Prolonged suffering Homelessness Removal of children from their homes Overdose Mental illness in children and youth through social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral services and supports in early childhood Culturally Responsive and Linguistically Appropriate Interventions County Early Intervention programs must include culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate interventions. These interventions must be able to reach underserved cultural populations and address specific barriers related to racial, ethnic, cultural, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, economic, or other disparities in mental health and substance use disorder treatment services access, quality, and outcomes. County Early Intervention programs must create critical linkages with community-based organizations, including, but not limited to, service and treatment providers, youth centers, licensed and exempt clinics, facilities and providers licensed or certified by the DHCS, licensed or certified residential substance use disorder facilities, and licensed narcotic treatment programs. Community-based organizations may also include organizations that provide evidence-based practices (EBPs) or community-defined evidence practices (CDEPs).