Alameda, Sonoma Counties Approve Plans for Proposition 63 Funds
Alameda and Sonoma counties this week approved spending plans for Proposition 63 funds. Proposition 63 was approved by voters to raise the state's personal income tax by 1% on annual incomes that exceed $1 million to fund mental health services. Summaries appear below.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a spending plan for $11 million in Proposition 63 funds, the Oakland Tribune reports.
The plan, which needs to be approved by the state, aims to reduce homelessness, emergency medical care, and overuse of the child welfare and justice systems. In addition, the plan aims to address ethnic disparities in mental health and put more emphasis on mental health clients and families.
Berkeley, which runs its own health department, would receive $250,000 for community service and support under the plan (Vesely/Maitre, Oakland Tribune, 12/21).
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan to expand county mental health services using Proposition 63 funds, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
Sonoma County is expected to receive about $3.7 million per year in Proposition 63 funds, which represents an 8% increase in the county's Mental Health Services Division budget.
Expanded mental health services will allow more than an additional 1,400 county residents to receive care, according to the Press Democrat. Targeted groups include children ages eight to 12 who have been identified as needing treatment, young adults ages 18 to 25 who need intensive oversight and housing, and mentally ill prison inmates (Mason, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 12/21).