Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)
The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) is California’s updated framework for planning, funding, and delivering behavioral health services. Enacted through the passage of Proposition 1 in March 2024, BHSA represents a significant evolution in the state’s approach to addressing mental health and substance use needs. While full implementation of BHSA will take effect on July 1, 2026, the transition is already underway, with new integrated planning and stakeholder engagement requirements beginning January 1, 2025.
BHSA expands the scope of behavioral health services to include both mental health and substance use disorder supports, creating a more coordinated and comprehensive system of care. The Act places a strong emphasis on serving individuals with serious behavioral health needs, including those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and prioritizes prevention, early intervention, treatment, housing supports, and system accountability.
This reform builds upon the foundation established in 2004 by the Mental Health Services Act, which introduced a dedicated funding source through a 1% tax on personal income over $1 million. BHSA modernizes that framework by addressing long-standing service gaps, strengthening outcomes-based planning, and aligning investments with current community needs and statewide priorities.
Through BHSA, Riverside County is committed to advancing a behavioral health system that is equitable, integrated, and responsive—ensuring improved access to services, stronger coordination across systems, and a continuum of care that promotes recovery, stability, and overall well-being for individuals, families, and communities.
BHSA COMPONTENTS
Housing Interventions – 30% of BHSA funds (50% of this dedicated to chronically homeless, encampments; up to 25% may be used for capital development projects)
Purpose:
To develop an ongoing behavioral health housing program to increase access to permanent supportive housing for people meeting BHSA eligibility who are chronically homeless, experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness.
Program Requirements:
Housing Interventions shall not be limited to individuals enrolled in either a Full-Service Partnership or Medi-Cal
Counties shall not discriminate against or deny services to housing for individuals that are utilizing medications for addiction treatment or other authorized medications, or individuals who are justice-involved
Housing interventions shall comply with the core components of Housing First
All Housing Interventions settings must be combined with access to clinical and supportive behavioral health care and housing services that will promote the individual’s health and functioning and long-term stability
Full-Service Partnership (FSP) Component – 35% of BHSA funds
Purpose:
To provide individualized, team-based care to individuals living with significant behavioral health needs through a “whatever it takes” approach.
Eligible Populations:
BHSA eligible adults and older adults, who meet the priority population criteria
BHSA eligible children and youth, which includes Transitional Age Youth (TAY)
Full-Service Partnership Continuum
County FSP programs MUST make the following specific services available:
Mental Health services, supportive services, and substance use disorder services
FSP services must be provided utilizing the following high intensity service models:
Adults/Older Adults (TAY when clinically appropriate):
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT, Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT)
FSP Intensive Case Management (ICM)
Children/TAY: High Fidelity Wraparound
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of Supported Employment
Assertive field-based initiation for SUD
Outpatient behavioral health services for evaluation and stabilization
Ongoing engagement services
Service planning
Housing Interventions (funded under Housing Interventions category)
Behavioral Health Services & Supports Component – 35% of BHSA funds
1. Early Intervention (EI) – 51% of the BHSS funds (51% of this dedicated to 0–25-year-olds)
Purpose:
Early Intervention is a proactive approach that identifies and addresses emerging behavioral health concerns early, including at-risk individuals, to prevent escalation into severe or chronic conditions and reduce disparities. It provides short-term, evidence-based services for those showing early signs of mental health or substance use challenges or exposed to known risk factors.
Key Activities:
Screening, assessment, and early identification of behavioral health conditions.
Short-term evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
School-based early intervention and family engagement.
Access and linkage to ongoing behavioral health services and community supports.
Culturally responsive strategies for high-risk populations (TAY, LGBTQ+, marginalized communities).
Intended Impact:
Reduce progression to severe mental illness.
Support families early to minimize crisis involvement.
Improve functioning in school, work, and daily life.
2. Workforce Education & Training (WET)
Purpose:
Strengthen and diversify the behavioral health workforce to meet community needs across the lifespan.
Key Activities:
Clinical training programs (internships, residencies, peer training).
Professional development, continuing education, and certification support.
Recruitment and retention strategies for underserved regions.
Cultural competency and equity-focused workforce development (e.g., language access, lived-experience workforce).
Leadership development and career pathway programs.
Intended Impact:
Increase qualified behavioral health providers.
Expand peer and community-based support roles.
Improve service accessibility and cultural responsiveness.
3. Outreach & Engagement (O&E)
Purpose:
Engage individuals, families, and communities who are unserved, underserved, or disconnected from behavioral health care through culturally tailored strategies.
Key Activities:
Outreach to and collaboration with individuals and entities that can help reach, identify, and engage individuals and communities in the behavioral health system including, but not limited to:
Community Based Organizations, housing agencies, street medicine/field-based service providers, harm reduction/syringe services programs, community leaders, schools, early care and learning, Tribal communities, primary care providers, senior centers, senior housing (and local Area Agencies on Aging), hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and faith-based organizations.
Outreach to directly reach and engage individuals who may benefit from behavioral health services and engagement to support and encourage ongoing participation of the eligible population in behavioral health treatment, such as:
Peer Support Services and resource navigation (benefits, housing, linkages)
Strategies to reduce ethnic, racial, gender-based, age-based, or other disparities, such as:
Engaging individuals, families, and credible messengers from priority communities to assist with the development of these strategies as well as outreach to individuals in natural community gathering places.
Intended Impact:
Increase access to behavioral health services.
Reduce disparities in behavioral health care.
Build trust with diverse communities and improve help-seeking behaviors.
4. Children, Adult & Older Adult System of Care (SOC)
Purpose:
Provide age-appropriate behavioral health services across the lifespan using a coordinated System of Care model.
Children & Youth (0–25):
Outpatient therapy, crisis services, and early intervention supports.
School-based services, family engagement, TAY programs.
Specialty programs: YHIP, SUD youth treatment, Parent Partners.
Adult (26–59):
Outpatient clinics, medication support, case management.
Peer support, Family Advocates, housing navigation.
Crisis stabilization, SUD services, vocational programs.
Older Adult (60+):
Home-based behavioral health services and wellness outreach.
Outpatient clinics, medication support, case management.
Caregiver support, benefits navigation, linkages to aging services, Peer Support and Family Advocates.
Intended Impact:
Provide comprehensive behavioral health services tailored by age group.
Support recovery, independence, and quality of life.
Ensure continuity across transitions in care.
5. Innovative Behavioral Health Pilots & Projects
Purpose:
To build the evidence base for the effectiveness of new statewide strategies. Counties are encouraged to pilot and test innovative behavioral health pilots and projects in all BHSA funding components (Housing Interventions, FSP, and BHSS). Innovation no longer has its own separate funding allocation.
(MHSA Innovation continues to fund its final project: Mindful Body and Recovery, an Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient program. Grandfathered in under MHSA, the current project will conclude June 30, 2029.)
6. Capital Facilities & Technological Needs (CFTN)
Purpose:
Enhance infrastructure and technology to improve service delivery, access, and operational efficiency.
Key Activities:
Construction, renovation, or expansion of behavioral health facilities.
Technology upgrades: EHR improvements, telehealth expansion, data systems.
Safety and accessibility upgrades for clinics and program sites.
Investments supporting workforce efficiency and client access.
Intended Impact:
Modernize the behavioral health delivery system.
Improve client experience and reduce barriers to care.
Strengthen data collection, quality improvement, and service continuity.
Stakeholder & Community Planning Process
The formal planning process, following the 30-day public posting of the Plan, concludes with a Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Public Hearing. This hearing provides an opportunity for community members, stakeholders, and partners to share their support, concerns, and recommendations regarding Riverside County’s BHSA Integrated Plan for FY 2026 and beyond. All comments received during the Public Hearing are formally documented and become part of the official planning record.
Public input collected through this process is reviewed by the Riverside County Behavioral Health Commission and considered by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors prior to adoption. The finalized BHSA Integrated Plan, inclusive of community feedback, is then submitted to the California Department of Health Care Services in accordance with state requirements.
There are two ways to participate in the public hearing:
A) Watch a public hearing video! Videos of the public hearing information will be posted 24/7 to RUHS-BH social media from, January 19, 2026. These “Public Hearing in Your Pocket” videos can be watched anytime, and you can provide feedback using the electronic feedback form located on this page or call the voice mail feedback line 951.288.4692.
VIDEOS
Coming soon!
Community Planning Survey
English: https://forms.gle/fFMgbJoxGewEg8EM8
Spanish: https://forms.gle/tyV86id7TEDkNxCs5
B) Attend an in-person public hearing! Click here to find out how.
BHSA Public Hearing FAQ
The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) is California’s updated framework for planning and funding behavioral health services. BHSA expands the focus beyond mental health to include substance use disorder services and emphasizes prevention, early intervention, treatment, housing supports, and accountability across the system.
The BHSA Integrated Plan outlines how Riverside County will use BHSA funding to address community behavioral health needs. It reflects input from community members, stakeholders, and partner agencies and guides services and investments for FY 2026 and beyond.
The BHSA Public Hearing provides an opportunity for community members and stakeholders to share comments, concerns, and recommendations on the Draft BHSA Integrated Plan. All feedback received becomes part of the official public record and is considered before the plan is finalized.
The Draft BHSA Integrated Plan will be posted for public review for thirty (30) days on the Department’s website and shared through County social media platforms. The posting will include links to the full plan and an electronic feedback form.
Public comments may be submitted in multiple ways:
- By completing the electronic feedback form during the 30-day posting period
- By leaving a voicemail message using the dedicated phone line provided
- By providing verbal or written comments at an in-person BHSA Public Hearing
Yes. Public notices and materials will be available in English and Spanish. The BHSA overview video will be presented in both languages and supported by sign language interpretation to ensure accessibility.
Community forums are informational sessions held prior to the BHSA Public Hearings. These forums allow participants to learn more about the BHSA Integrated Plan, ask questions, and better understand how to provide meaningful feedback.
All comments received during the public posting period and at the BHSA Public Hearings are reviewed by RUHS-BH Department leadership, the Riverside County Behavioral Health Commission, and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors prior to adoption.
After public input is incorporated, the finalized BHSA Integrated Plan is reviewed and adopted by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and submitted to the California Department of Health Care Services.
All community members, consumers, family members, service providers, advocates, and partner organizations are encouraged to participate. Your feedback helps ensure the BHSA Integrated Plan reflects Riverside County’s diverse needs and priorities.