The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission approved its consent calendar including two innovation funding requests and announced an intent to award an immigrant and refugee statewide advocacy contract.

On the consent calendar the commission approved:
• A request from Sonoma County to allocate up to $684,476 to extend an existing innovation project, Crossroads to Hope, which combines housing-first and assertive community treatment for justice-involved people.
• San Bernardino County’s request for up to $30,861,260 in innovation spending authority over four years to join Orange County’s PIVOT project (previously approved in November 2024), with components including full service partnership and specialty mental health plan capacity development.

Because one commissioner requested more time to review materials for the immigrant and refugee advocacy contract, commissioners pulled that item from the combined consent motion and held a separate vote. The commission then voted to announce its intent to award a three‑year, $502,500 contract (approximately $167,500 per year) to California Panethnic Health Network to provide statewide advocacy, training and outreach on behalf of immigrant and refugee populations. Commissioners recorded some abstentions and absences during the separate vote but the motion passed.

Commissioners noted staff provided analysis and packet materials in advance and emphasized that detailed staff review and public comment summaries were available in the meeting packet. Several commissioners and public commenters urged clearer procedures to capture public comment made at committee meetings in final reports and minutes; the commission agreed to add names and summaries previously omitted from the August minutes and to return amended minutes at the January meeting.

The approvals were taken during the meeting’s consent-calendar sequence; staff confirmed the items and supporting analyses were provided in the packet prior to the vote.