The Bay Area Partnership and the Coalition for Community Schools have coauthored a policy brief encouraging communities to utilize the community schools approach when planning how to spend their new funding provided by the Mental Health Services Act.

Background: The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), passed in November 2004 as Proposition 63, provides funding to expand mental health care for children, youth, adults and seniors. To draw down the funds, counties must submit implementation plans. MHSA requires that development of these plans be based on broad public input. Many counties are still working on their plans for the Prevention and Early Intervention component of the MHSA. To get involved or to get an update on your county's planning process, start by contacting your MHSA coordinator. For a list of coordinators, visit the DMH website at http://www.dmh.cahwnet.gov.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Deanna at the Bay Area Partnership via email at deanna@bayareapartnership.org.