Los Angeles County Approves Mental Health Services Spending Plan
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a spending plan for the county's share of funds for mental health services from Proposition 63, the Los Angeles Times reports. State voters in November 2004 approved the law, which increased the state income tax by 1% for residents whose annual incomes exceed $1 million to fund mental health services.
According to the Times, the plan is a "broad blueprint" indicating how the county will provide housing and substance abuse treatment for more than 45,000 county residents with severe mental health problems, as well as other services for 100,000 family members and county residents with less severe conditions.
County officials said they expect to identify service providers and release other details about the plan in the next few months.
The plan now goes to the Department of Mental Health Services for review. If the plan is approved, the county could begin receiving funding in January (Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 10/14).