County To Resubmit Mental Health Spending Plan
Fresno County officials will resubmit a spending plan for Proposition 63 funds after their proposal was rejected by the state in September 2005, the Fresno Bee reports. Voters in 2004 approved Proposition 63 to use proceeds from a tax on state residents whose annual incomes exceed $1 million to fund mental health care.
The state rejected the original plan, saying it needed additional information about the proposal's budget and programs.
County officials proposed using the funds to:
- Make trained mental health clinicians available to respond to seniors in mental health emergencies;
- Provide one central location of adult mental health services, including family support and vocational services; and
- Provide more mental health and development services for children and infants.
The county mental health department faces a $5-million deficit, which was once estimated at $15 million before cost-cutting measures were enacted (Anderson, Fresno Bee, 4/8). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.