The Client, Family and Community Inclusion advisory committee voted to recommend that the full Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission approve a two‑phase outline to invest $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act (MHWA) funds to expand peer respites across California.

Courtney Ackerman (research scientist) told members that staff define peer respites as homelike temporary residences staffed and governed entirely by peers, offering 24/7 peer support and stays typically of 7–14 days. Staff summarized a landscape review, seven site visits and conversations with county and peer‑run organizations; findings emphasized the model’s promise in improving engagement and reducing hospitalization while noting limited research and barriers to billing and county partnerships.

Staff proposed a two‑phase plan: Phase 1 would allocate $10 million to pilot projects in partnered counties and peer‑run organizations, including technical assistance, business planning and a learning collaborative that would be open to any county or peer‑run operator; Phase 2 would allocate $10 million for tailored funding to new and existing peer respites and continue the learning collaborative. Staff provided RFP timing tied to MHWA encumbrance deadlines and said Phase 1 RFP is projected for spring 2026 and Phase 2 for spring 2028.

Public commenters and committee members urged demographic reporting, measurable equity outcomes and that applications demonstrate partnership pathways (county + peer‑run organization). Stacy Hiramoto (Remco) urged grantees be required to collect demographic data including race, ethnicity and non‑English language needs. Committee members asked whether an application could come from a peer‑run organization without a county partner; staff said the approach is intended to be partnership‑oriented and staff will follow up in writing on eligibility specifics.

On a motion by Jason Robison, seconded by Richard Zaldivar, the committee recommended the MHWA peer‑respite outline to the full commission; the chair recorded an abstention and the committee announced the motion passes. Staff will revise the outline based on feedback and present it to the full commission for final approval.