San Diego County health officials are seeking public input on a three-year behavioral health services plan that will determine how the county uses state funds to support mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, housing, and other critical services for people with significant behavioral health needs. The effort is part of the voter-approved Behavioral Health Services Act, passed by California voters two years ago as Proposition 1. Under the law, every county must develop a three-year Integrated Plan identifying local priorities and outlining funding allocation. County Behavioral Health Services Director Nadia Privara Brahms stated that “a lot of significant changes are happening in behavioral health right now, and we want to make sure San Diego County’s approach reflects what matters most to our communities.”
Public Input and Timeline
The new law adds statewide requirements including housing intervention options, expanded substance use disorder services, stronger tracking of outcomes, and improved access to care. Community members, providers, and partners are invited to review the draft plan and share feedback during a 30-day public comment period running through April 15, 2026. Input can be submitted by phone at 619-584-5063 or toll-free at 888-977-6763, by email at Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov, or via the BHSA Integrated Plan 30-Day Public Comment Form on Engage San Diego County. A public hearing with the County’s Behavioral Health Advisory Board is scheduled for May 7, 2026. Feedback received during the comment period will be incorporated into the final plan, which will be presented to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in summer for approval before submission to the state. Implementation of the approved plan was scheduled to begin July 1, 2026.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://timesofsandiego.com/health/2026/03/21/county-seeks-public-input-on-behavioral-health-services-plan/