MHSOAC Financial Committee to Discuss Governor's FY 2014-15 Proposed Budget January 16

The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) Financial Oversight Committee will meet on January 16, 2014 from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM at the MHSOAC Conference Room, 1300 17th Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, CA 95811.

Call-in Number: 866-819-8843

Participation Code: 2519233

An agenda item of importance will be FY 2014/15 Governor's Proposed Budget Staff Report: Kevin Hoffman, Staff Analysis: Robert Oakes, Director, CMHDA and Rusty Selix, Director, CCCMHA, MHA Discussion regarding the impact of the Governor's Proposed Budget on Mental Health Funding.

Read the agenda.

MHSOAC Commission Meeting to be held January 23

The agenda for the January 23, 2014 Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) meeting has been posted to the MHSOAC meetings page. The meeting will take place from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM at the Holiday Inn Sacramento - Capitol Plaza, 300 J Street, Sacramento, CA.

Call-in Number: 866-817-6550

Participant Code: 3190377

Among the agenda items:

• Overview of Governor's Proposed Budget for FY 2014/15 with presenters: Kiyomi Burchill, Assistant Secretary, CA Health and Human Services Agency and Carla Casteneda, Principal Program Budget Analyst, CA Department of Finance.
• Presentation on "Fostering Growth in Cultural and Linguistic Competence", a major study by the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Committee.
• Report on Use of PEI Funds for Prevention and Early Intervention, a study that will illustrate the cost benefits of spending on prevention and early intervention.

You may also access the agenda directly by clicking on the Meeting page link and scroll down to "Next Commission Meeting - Agenda - 01/09/2014".

Governor Releases Budget for 2014-15, Support Letters Published

-- From NAMI California by Caliph Assagai, JD, Legislation and Public Policy Director

On January 9 the Governor released his proposed budget for 2014-15. The budget proposal anticipates increased revenue, resulting in increased general fund revenue and an operating surplus for next year.

Most programs will see no major gains in funding as a result of this increased revenue, as the bulk of additional revenue will be used for debt reduction and increased spending on education. This increase in revenue, however, did result in part in from higher than expected income tax payments, which will likely result in increased funding for the MHSA.

The legislature will begin reviewing the Governor's budget and hold hearings over the next several months to come to an agreement between houses on spending. However, leadership in the Assembly and the Senate has already laid out several budget priorities related to mental illness:

• President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg proposes renewing funding for the Mentally Ill Offenders Crime Reduction (MIOCR) Grant program at $50 million, with $25 million going to serve adults and $25 million directed as serving juveniles. If adopted, the program would be distributed based on a competitive grant program to counties who work in partnership with stakeholders to develop programs that reduce recidivism and aid in recovery. Previous grants have been used for creating mental health courts, among other diversion programs.
• The Assembly released the Blueprint for a Responsible Budget: Ensuring Stability, Expanding Opportunity. The Blueprint calls for expanding funding for mental health courts, as well as renewing funding for the Early Mental Health Initiative, which provides funding for school-based mental health services.

NAMI California anticipates being actively engaged in the Budget process this year, and has already begun meeting with Budget Committee and legislative staff. Support letters on both initiatives have recently been published here. Scroll down to the heading "Budget".

NAMI California Regional Meeting - Kern County, January 28

When:

Where:

NAMI California, with the support of the MHSOAC, invites you to a regional meeting for local county mental health departments and area NAMI affiliates. Affiliate members and county service providers from Kern County are invited to attend.

The morning agenda is an advocacy training session, developed by NAMI California, for any interested affiliate members. Here you will learn how to craft your story into a powerful presentation that gets results. The afternoon agenda offers counties the opportunity to share their MHSA program accomplishments, future programs under consideration, and a description of the stakeholder process.

Contact: david.czarnecki@namicalifornia.org or call David Czarnecki at 916-567-0163 to RSVP for the event.

PEERS Conducts Statewide Survey on MHSOAC Planning Process

This survey is part of an evaluation process to measure the impact and effectiveness of community planning processes (CPP) in all of California's 58 counties and 2 municipalities, and to ensure the meaningful involvement of stakeholders in all MHSA activities.

If you have any questions, contact Cyndi Eppler, MS, Program Manager at 510-832-7337 ext. 204. You may also contact Tawny Porter, CSP's Program Assistant at 510-832-7337 ext. 226.

Stakeholder Survey (English)

Stakeholder Survey (Spanish)

-- Caliph Assagai

Legislation and Public Policy Director

NAMI California Advocacy Survey

Caliph.assagai@namicalifornia.org

The California CIT Association hosted its annual conference in San Mateo this week. This two-day event in the Bay Area highlighted the need for CIT and provided officers and Criminal Justice professionals opportunities to learn and share information to acquire or strengthen CIT in their area.

Speakers included NAMI California Board Members Kenton Rainey, Chief of Police for BART, and Randy Beckx, Orange County Police Officer; as well as past NAMI California Board Member, Sharon Roth from NAMI San Mateo who also helped coordinate the event and serves on California CIT Association's statewide board. 

NAMI California staff attended the event and we are excited to see the progress being made toward a more rigorous CIT program in California for officers to better protect and serve those living with a mental illness and their families.

Be sure to check out the International CIT conference in Monterey, October 13-15 2014. More information at: http://www.citinternational.org.

Students throughout California are invited to Direct Change by submitting 60-second videos in two categories: "Suicide Prevention" and "Ending the Silence about Mental Illness".

The winning teams and their associated schools will win cash prizes, qualify to win mental health or suicide prevention programs for their schools, and will be recognized at an award ceremony at the end of the 2013-14 school year. 

Visit the campaign website for contest rules and information: www.directingchange.org.

Submission Deadline: February 1, 2014

Please help spread the word:  Print and post this flier. 

Save the Date!

Join Each Mind Matters on the South Lawn of the California Capitol Building, May 13, 2014. You may also join the Solidarity March and attend the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Resource Fair!

Take the pledge against stigma and discrimination and listen to stories of hope and courage. More information to come as the event approaches.

For information, email eachmindmatters@gmail.com, visit the EachMindMatters.org website, or telephone, 916-389-2625.

View and print the flier here.