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Commission opens planning for $20M peer respite investment and schedules public input
Summary
The commission launched a staff‑led planning project to use $20 million from the Mental Health Wellness Act for peer respites, including site visits, landscape research and a public hearing before drafting an RFA.
The Commission for Behavioral Health announced the start of a planning process to guide a $20 million Mental Health Wellness Act investment in peer respites.
Staff described peer respites as voluntary, short‑term, community‑based residential programs led by people with lived experience. Dr. Melissa Martin Mollard (standing in for the project lead) said staff have completed an initial site visit to SHARE Recovery Retreat and plan visits to Sally’s Place (Alameda), Insight Peer Respite (Grass Valley) and Second Story (Santa Cruz). Research will include a literature review, key‑informant interviews and focus groups with operators and service users.
Initial issues staff will study include funding and long‑term sustainability; how peer respites fit in the crisis continuum and their potential to divert people from emergency departments and inpatient care; diversity of operators and equity impacts; links between peer respite and housing; and technical assistance needs for providers.
Timeline and next steps: Staff intends to hold a public hearing in July and return to the commission with a detailed project plan. A final policy paper and RFA development are targeted for October–December, with an applicant RFA to be presented to the commission for action in January.
Commission response: Commissioner Rachelle Chambers, project lead, emphasized the role of peer respite as a less‑restrictive alternative to hospitalization and urged commissioners to consider workforce, sustainability and braiding funding across BHSA, MHWA and managed‑care opportunities. Vice Chair Rowlett and other commissioners asked staff to investigate Medi‑Cal billing pathways, recidivism/return rates, facility ownership, and workforce leadership (peer representation in executive leadership).
Ending: Staff invited public input and signaled the commission will use site visits, stakeholder interviews and a public hearing to shape the RFA design later this year.
