Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63)

San Francisco Planning

On November 2, 2004 the voters of California passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). The MHSA has the potential to fundamentally change access to, and delivery of mental health services throughout California. An unprecedented 74% of San Franciscans voted in support of this ballot initiative.

The MHSA defines mental illness as a condition deserving priority attention and sets aside a significant amount of funding to achieve the following goals:

• Provide prevention and early intervention services and medical and supportive care.
• Reduce the long-term adverse impacts on individuals, families, and communities resulting from untreated serious mental illness.
• Expand successful, innovative service programs including culturally and linguistically competent approaches for underserved populations. Adequately meet the need of all who can be identified and enrolled.
• Ensure funds are expended in the most cost effective manner and services are provided in accordance with recommended best practices with oversight to ensure accountability.

In order to be eligible for MHSA funds, each county must submit an initial three-year plan to the State outlining how funds will be used to achieve the goals of the initiative. Mayor Gavin Newsom has appointed Deputy Director of Health, Barbara A. Garcia to lead a 40-member, citywide taskforce in this planning effort.

This site provides information on scheduled planning activities and how you can participate in the development of San Francisco's three-year plan.