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Advisory committee recommends next-step options to allocate BHSSA one-time administrative and evaluation funds
Summary
The Program Advisory Committee voted to forward options for using one-time Behavioral Health Student Services Act (BHSSA) administrative and evaluation funds to the full commission, urging priorities for rural capacity, sustainability and building evaluation capacity.
The Program Advisory Committee recommended that the full commission consider options for spending one-time BHSSA administrative and evaluation funds after staff outlined remaining balances, current investments and suggested priorities.
Staff said two one-time buckets remain: $5,600,000 in BHSSA administrative funds that must be encumbered by June 30, 2026, and $10,900,000 remaining in BHSSA evaluation funds. Kai Lamasson (staff presenting in place of the regular presenter) and Melissa Martin Mahler reviewed how BHSSA grants have been deployed across four phases and highlighted that WestEd is the primary evaluator for the BHSSA program.
Staff proposed two primary administrative uses: (1) targeted support for rural BHSSA county behavioral health departments and their education partners to build capacity, learning communities and strategies to overcome workforce and access barriers; and (2) additional support for sustainability planning so counties and local education agencies can maintain services after grant funding ends. For evaluation funds, staff proposed (1) continued support for exemplary grantees to document and disseminate effective approaches, (2) investment in statewide standards and metrics for school behavioral health systems, and (3) building local capacity for data collection and reporting.
Committee members emphasized integrating substance use disorder supports into school behavioral health and strengthening data collection and measurement. Commissioner Tsai said, “given that we're calling this the Behavioral Health Student Services Act, I think it should be a central priority for us to ensure that these investments are shared across mental health and substance use.” Vice Chair Madrigal Weiss and other commissioners urged using BHSSA investments to build sustainable capacity and better school-level metrics.
Public commenters supported stronger evaluation and cultural responsiveness. Stacy Hiramoto of Remco and Safe Passages urged improved evaluation that yields real-time data schools and CBOs can use. Josefina Alvarado Mena and others asked that youth voice and culturally responsive practice evaluation be central; WestEd staff and commission staff confirmed a youth advisory group is involved in the evaluation design.
The committee voted to recommend that the full commission take up the options for allocating the one-time administrative and evaluation funds. Commissioner Bernick moved the motion; Vice Chair Madrigal Weiss seconded. The recorded online vote registered yes from Commissioners Burnick, Chambers, Cross, Designee Swartz, Chair Tsai and Vice Chair Madrigal Weiss. The motion passed and will be presented to the full commission for final action.
Staff said next steps include refining options so they meet statutory requirements, clarifying eligible uses, and preparing a formal proposal for the full commission ahead of the June 2026 encumbrance deadlines.
