Lake County Board adopts FY 2025–26 Mental Health Services Act update, approves plan modifications

The Lake County Board of Supervisors on an unanimous 5-0 vote accepted a presentation on the county's Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) programs, approved modifications to the current three-year plan and adopted a resolution formally approving the fiscal year 2025–26 update to the Lake County MHSA program and expenditure plan.

Scott Abbott, program manager for Mental Health Services Act and housing for Lake County Behavioral Health Services, told the board that MHSA — established by voter-approved Proposition 63 — is funded by a 1% tax on incomes above $1,000,000 and is distributed to counties by population. Abbott said 76% of MHSA funding is intended for community services and supports (CSS), roughly half of which typically funds Full Service Partnership (FSP) programs for people at risk of incarceration, institutionalization or homelessness. He said prevention and early intervention (PEI) accounts for about 19% and innovation for about 5% of the allocation; workforce, training and capital needs can be funded by diverting…