Title
Receive a presentation on the Rainbow Connections Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovations project.
Presenter: Melanie Rhodes, Monterey County Behavioral Health Bureau
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health, Housing, Homelessness, and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a presentation on the Rainbow Connections Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovations project.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Proposition 63, known as the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) was approved by California voters in November 2024 and became effective in January 2025. MHSA levies a one-percent tax on personal income above one million dollars. MHSA requires counties to allocate 76% of funds to Community Services and Supports, 19% for Prevention and Early Intervention Programs, and the remaining 5% for Innovation projects. Per Welfare Institutions Code Section 5892(h), counties with populations above 200,000 have three years to spend these funds or they are reverted to the State. The Rainbow Connections project is funded with MHSA Innovation funds.
MHSA Innovation funded projects must be time-limited and provide new or changing mental health practices that have not yet been demonstrated as effective. The purpose of Innovation projects is to infuse new, effective mental health approaches into the mental health system, both for the originating county and throughout California. Innovation projects must be approved by the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), now renamed, Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH), prior to project implementation and spending.
Rainbow Connections was approved by the MHSOAC on May 25, 2023, as a five-year, $7,883,562.86 project with a start date of October 10, 2023, and an end date of October 10, 2028. Rainbow Connections was developed to address the problem of trauma and suffering experienced by LGBTQ+ youth as a result of systemic failures and gaps in knowledge occurring across family, school, and community environments. The goal is to build capacity amongst adults, caregivers, and providers to affirmatively respond to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth and connect them to appropriate resources. The project is a multi-agency initiative led by the Monterey County Behavioral Health Bureau (MCBHB), and it is designed to interconnect youth youth-serving system, local organizations, and the larger Monterey County community through collaboration and alignment of resources focused on providing affirming care for our LGBTQ+ youth. Information will be shared on the service and support offerings available through the Rainbow Connections Provider Network to increase access to LGBTQ+ affirming care and to cultivate environments of belonging for LGBTQ+ youth across home, school, and community settings.
As a result of the passage of Proposition 1, known as the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) in March 2024, Innovation was removed as a standalone funding component effective July 1, 2026, however, counties still have the option to fund Innovative projects with BHSA Behavioral Health Services and Supports (BHSS) dollars. Additionally, Innovation projects that are approved and operational by June 30, 2026, can continue to be funded with BHSA dollars.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
No other departments were involved.
FINANCING:
There will be no impact on the General Fund in receiving this report.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability, and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services, promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Kacey Rodenbush, Behavioral Health Services Manager, 647-7651
Fabricio Chombo, Assistant Bureau Chief (WOC), 755-4578
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Staff Report
Presentation