By Alex Lane  -

The Health and Human Services Department hosted a meeting last Wednesday to discuss ways to use the Mental Health Services Act funding. Participants included local behavioral health consumers of services, family members, caregivers, Health Department staff and service providers. The highlight of the meeting was when participants provided input for a number of program components. These include: Clinical services for Children, Transitional Age Youth 15-25, Adults and Older Adults; Prevention and Early Intervention strategies, Work Force and Education, Housing, Capitol Facilities and Technology, and Innovations. “Innovations is the latest funding category and will allow counties to try new intervention strategies that may be very specific to the populations of a specific County,” said Community Program Manager Lynn Thomas Department in a press release. The attendees also discussed the benefits this county can receive under Proposition 63, a Mental Health services act passed by California voters in November 2004. Prop 63 is funded by a 1 percent tax for those who earn OVER one million dollars per year to provide services for those experiencing symptoms of mental illness and their families. The expectation is that Community Stakeholders will participate in the planning of services for family members and caregivers. “The Staff of Behavioral Health sincerely thanks all who attended the Kickoff and looks forward to working with our community for a successful planning and implementation of the Mental Health Services Act,” said Thomas. For more information, please contact Lynn Thomas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 223-6814.