Program Advisory Committee delays adoption of decision-making framework after public requests for more review

The Program Advisory Committee of the California Commission for Behavioral Health opened its inaugural meeting and discussed a draft decision-making framework, but the committee agreed to postpone adoption so the public and commissioners could review the materials in more detail.

The framework is intended to guide how the PAC will review grant proposals, research and evaluation reports, and public-facing accountability tools. "We would like to make a recommendation to adopt this framework," Melissa Martin Mollard, acting deputy director of Research Evaluation and Programs, said while presenting the draft. The committee did not take a formal action on adoption at the meeting.

The framework was introduced as a guiding tool to center equity, identify programmatic priorities, and align the PAC's recommendations with the broader commission's goals. Chair Gary Tsai, who chaired the meeting, and Vice Chair Commissioner Madrigal Weiss said the framework would be a living document that could evolve over time. "We're happy to discuss this, as we go through," Chair Gary Tsai said when introducing the proposed foundational pillars and decision tool.

Public commenters and several commissioners raised concerns about timing and notice. Stacy Hiramoto of the Racial and Ethnic Mental Health Disparities Coalition said she had difficulty finding the PowerPoint online and objected to adoption at the meeting because the document was posted shortly before the session: "I must object to you voting on this today because I do not believe these slides or this information was available until very recently," Hiramoto said. Rekaya Ahmad of the California Pan Ethnic Health Network and other public participants similarly said the materials had been posted very recently and asked for more time to review and provide meaningful feedback.

Commissioner Marjorie Swartz urged caution about using the PAC's one-time guidance to fund ongoing programs: "This is a 1-time source. If we fund projects like that, once the funding dries up, people will come forward and say, 'you've cut our funding,'" she said, arguing that sustainability plans should be required for proposals. Commissioner Fernandez and others asked the PAC to allow room for projects that may have been piloted elsewhere in California but could still be innovative and valuable in counties that lack the same capacity.

After discussion, the chair and commissioners agreed to table a vote on adopting the draft decision-making framework and return it to a future PAC meeting to allow additional time for public review and comment. The chair instructed staff to post materials earlier for future meetings and to circulate the draft decision framework for further discussion.

The PAC clarified that it is an advisory body and cannot take final action; it will make recommendations to the full commission. The committee also reiterated Bagley-Keene Act open-meeting requirements will be followed for PAC meetings and that agendas will be posted in advance. The PAC plans to reconvene the framework discussion at a future meeting after additional public review and written feedback are collected.

Looking ahead, the commission staff said they would send meeting materials earlier and publish a working draft for public comment so community stakeholders, including those representing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, can provide input. The committee also emphasized the draft framework is intended to be consistent with other commission committees so recommendations are comparable across advisory groups.

The PAC adjourned the agenda item without adopting the framework and moved on to other items on the agenda.