Innovation in the public mental health system: California's Mental Health Services Act

Background/Objectives: In 2004, California passed the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to fund new service delivery models in its 58 counties, totalling $ 3.7 billion through February 2010. The five components of MHSA include the following: (1) Community Services and Supports, whose programs offer a spectrum of services to the seriously mentally ill population across the age span; (2) Prevention and Early Intervention; (3) Workforce Education and Training; (4) Capital Facilities and Technological Needs; and (5) Innovation. The new models are known as full service partnerships (FSP). The objectives of this prese…