Contra Costa County Officials Discuss Allocation Options for Mental Health Funding

The Contra Costa Mental Health Commission last week held its fifth of six scheduled meetings to discuss ideas for using mental health funding provided by Proposition 63, the Oakland Tribune reports. Contra Costa County's annual share of the funds is expected to be between $12 million and $13 million.

Donna Wigand, the county's mental health director, said Proposition 63 funding will increase the department's budget by about 15%. Wigand said forum participants called for additional housing for adult mental health patients.

According to the Tribune, meeting participants also have discussed:

• Vocational training;
  
  
• Creating a mobile emergency response team;
  
  
• More effective partnerships with schools;
  
  
• Stronger collaboration between agencies that provide mental health and substance abuse services; and
  
  
• Support services for the families of people with mental illnesses (Johnson, Oakland Tribune, 4/12).