To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Integrated Plan and Budget for Fiscal Years 2026-2029
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and file a presentation by the Department of Health and Human Services- Behavioral Health (DHHS-BH) regarding the Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan and Budget for Fiscal Years 2026-2029; and
2. Adopt the attached Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan and budget for Fiscal Years 2026-2029; and
3. Authorize the County Board of Supervisor Chair to sign the Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan Board of Supervisor Certification form; and
4. Authorization for the County Behavioral Health Director, or designee, to submit and make corrections, clarifications and technical changes necessary to the Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2029 directly to DHCS, provided that the changes do not result in additional material costs to the county, which are subject to County Counsel and Board of Supervisors approval.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1002- Remove barriers to quality healthcare
DISCUSSION:
Proposition 63 was passed by the California voters in November 2004 and enacted into law on Jan. 1, 2005. In March 2024, with the passing of Proposition 1 legislation which includes Senate Bill 326, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) was reformed into the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). This legislation places a 1% tax on individuals with a personal income above $1 million and restructures how counties can utilize these dollars effective July 1, 2026.
The attached BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan has been developed with the participation of community members, in accordance with the Community Program Planning Process (CPPP) set forth in Section 5848 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and Section 3300 of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations. The draft 2026-2029 BHSA Integrated Plan was circulated to representatives of stakeholder interests and any interested parties for 30 days in preparation for the public hearing held by the Humboldt County Behavioral Health Board on June 18, 2026.
The process for obtaining community input for the attached BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan utilized two methods. First, following the process used in prior Plans and Annual Updates, 17 community meetings were held, including groups representing five regions of Humboldt County. Input and comments were accepted through the BHSA email address, the BHSA voicemail, written on Demographic Questionnaire e-forms used at the community meetings and a community survey.
The CPPP for the attached BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan had two components, BHSA education and collecting input from community members. BHSA education included the following areas of planning: mental health policy, program planning, implementation, monitoring, quality improvement, evaluation and budget allocations. Such education also included the BHSA core concepts of community collaboration, cultural competence, client wellness, recovery and resilience and an integrated service experience for clients and their families.
The attached BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan was posted to the County of Humboldt’s website on April 20, 2026, and it should be adopted by the Board of Supervisors within 90 days of such posting. Once the attached 2026-2029 BHSA Integrated Plan has been adopted by the Board of Supervisors, it will then be sent to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (BHOAC).
Due to the DHCS providing additional revisions to county BHSA Integrated Plan narratives, it is requested for the Board of Supervisors to authorize for the County Behavioral Health Director, or designee, to submit and make corrections, clarifications and technical changes necessary to the BHSA Integrated Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2029 directly to the DHCS, provided that the changes do not result in additional material costs to the county, which are subject to County Counsel and Board of Supervisors approval.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170-515000, 515120, 640000) and Behavioral Health Services Act (3441)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1170, 424/477/478/496) |
FY26-27 |
FY27-28 Projected* |
FY28-29 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$11,273,841.00 |
$11,273,841.00 |
$11,273,841.00 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$11,273,841.00 |
$11,273,841.00 |
$11,273,841.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1170, 424) |
FY26-27 |
FY27-28 Projected* |
FY28-29 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$11,273,841.00 |
$11,273,841.00 |
$11,273,841.00 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$11,273,841.00 |
$11,273,841.00 |
$11,273,841.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
Pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5892, BHSA component funding is distributed to counties on a monthly basis based on actual tax receipt collections. Each county is responsible for ensuring that 35% of the funds distributed from the Behavioral Health Services Fund is allocated for Full-Service Partnership programs. In addition, counties are required to utilize 30% of such funding for Housing Interventions and 35% for Behavioral Health Services and Supports programs.
The BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan includes worksheets which set forth BHSA funding estimates to be received by the County of Humboldt for fiscal year 2026 through 2029. Allocation of the BHSA funding reflected in these worksheets is consistent with the applicable requirements set forth in the above-referenced provisions of the California and Welfare and Institutions Code. Revenue estimates are based on recommendations by State Department of Health Care Services and California Behavioral Health Directors Association.
Fiscal year 2026 through 2029 expenditures in the amount of $11,273,841 are based on calculations included in proposed budgets for DHHS - Behavioral Health Administration budget unit 1170-424 and DHHS - Behavioral Health Services Act budget unit 1170-477. Funding sources include Federal and State financial participation for specialty mental health service to Medi-Cal beneficiaries and Behavioral Health Services Act.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Approval of the attached BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan and budget will not directly impact current staffing levels, though BHSA funds do fund ongoing staff positions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Health Care Services; California Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached BHSA Integrated Plan for fiscal years 2026-2029. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would result in non-compliance with Section 5847 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan and Budget for Fiscal Years 2026 - 2029.
2. Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan Board of Supervisor Certification form.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 06/23/15; 07/31/18; 06/25/19; 10/27/20; 08/10/21; 07/19/22; 06/27/23; 07/09/24
File No.: 15-699; 18-972; 19-870; 20-1376; 21-1031; 22-909; 23-827; 24-1062