Section 5840.7 - Priorities for use of prevention and early intervention funds(a) The State Department of Health Care Services, in consultation with the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, shall establish priorities for the use of early intervention funds. These priorities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:(1) Childhood trauma early intervention to deal with the early origins of mental health and substance use disorder treatment needs, including strategies focused on eligible children and youth experiencing homelessness, justice-involved children and youth, child welfare-involved children and youth with a history of trauma, and other populations at risk of developing a mental health disorder or condition as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 14184.402 or substance use disorders. Childhood trauma early intervention services shall not be limited to individuals enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.(2) Early psychosis and mood disorder detection and intervention and mood disorder programming that occurs across the lifespan.(3) Outreach and engagement strategies that target early childhood 0 to 5 years of age, inclusive, out-of-school youth, and secondary school youth. Partnerships with community-based organizations and college mental health and substance use disorder programs may be utilized to implement the strategies.(4) Culturally competent and linguistically appropriate interventions.(5) Strategies targeting the mental health and substance use disorder needs of older adults.(6) Strategies targeting the mental health needs of eligible children and youth, as defined in Section 5892, who are 0 to 5 years of age, including, but not limited to, infant and early childhood mental health consultation.(7) Strategies to advance equity and reduce disparities.(8) Programs that include community-defined evidence practices and evidence-based practices and mental health and substance use disorder treatment services similar to those provided under other programs that are effective in preventing mental illness and substance use disorders from becoming severe and components similar to programs that have been successful in reducing the duration of untreated severe mental illness and substance use disorders to assist people in quickly regaining productive lives.(9) Other programs the State Department of Health Care Services identifies that are proven effective in preventing mental illness and substance use disorders from becoming severe and disabling, consistent with Section 5840.(10) Strategies to address the needs of individuals at high risk of crisis.(b)(1)(A) The portion of funds in the county plan relating to early intervention shall focus on the established priorities and shall be allocated as determined by the county with stakeholder input. (B)(i) A county may include other priorities, as determined through the stakeholder process, in addition to the established priorities.(ii) If a county chooses to include other programs, the plan shall include a description of why those programs are included and metrics by which the effectiveness of those programs is to be measured.(2) Counties may act jointly to meet the requirements of this section.(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.Ca. Welf. and Inst. Code § 5840.7
Added by Stats 2023 ch 790 (SB 326),s 55, eff. 4/17/2024, op. Approved in Proposition 1 at the March 5, 2024, election..