Quick Links

• Laws & Regulations
• Budget Information
• Facts & Stats
• CDER
• DDS Forms
• Publications & Other Resources
• Public Records Requests
• Appeals, Complaints & Comments
• Language Access Complaint Process
• Small Business and Disabled Veterans Advocates
• Newsroom/Media Access
• Links
• Contact Us

Mental Health Services Act Funding to Regional Centers

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is committed to improving the care of consumers with dual diagnoses (individuals with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health diagnosis) to:

• Ensure ongoing statewide technical assistance to promote interagency collaboration regarding access to mental health services; and
• Improve clinical capacity and effectiveness of direct services.

MHSA Cycle IV Request for Applications FYs 2017-18 through 2019-20

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), approved by voters in November 2004, assists counties and state agencies by providing increased funding, personnel, and other resources to support county mental health programs and monitor progress toward statewide goals for children, transition age youth (TAY), adults, older adults and families.

DDS began receiving ongoing MHSA funds in 2008-09 for regional centers to develop and oversee innovative projects. DDS distributes MHSA funds to regional centers in three-year cycles, utilizing a competitive application process. Project priorities are established and project selection is conducted in collaboration with key stakeholders. Only regional centers can apply for MHSA funding; however, they must work in partnership via subcontracts with local systems of care such as county mental health, private mental health agencies, alcohol/other drug services, educational entities, and/or other RCs.

DDS ensures that regional center projects follow the intent of the MHSA and that they uniformly:

• Integrate evidence-based models and techniques;
• Incorporate performance-based approaches, interventions, and strategies;
• Provide an ongoing multi-disciplinary, collaborative process to identify local needs and ameliorate system challenges at the local level; and
• Include a mechanism(s) to share information and resources statewide.

Please click on the following links for more information about current and past MHSA projects.

• Mental Health Services Act Cycle III - Fiscal Years 2014-15 through 2016-17
• Mental Health Services Act Cycle II - Fiscal Years 2011-12 through 2013-14
• Mental Health Services Act Cycle I - Fiscal Years 2008-09 through 2010-11
• DDS MHSA Progress Reports
• Additional Mental Health Resources

For additional information regarding MHSA projects, please contact Emily Woolford at (916) 654-2048.