Public commenters urge commission to protect peer-support roles as cuts, consolidation loom
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Summary
Peer-support workers and advocates told the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission during a listening session that proposed funding cuts and committee consolidation threaten jobs and culturally grounded services, urging technical assistance, outreach, and continued public pressure.
Dozens of peer-support workers, program directors and advocates told the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission during a listening session that proposed funding changes and consolidation of committees risked cutting roles that provide early intervention and culturally grounded care.
"Losing places and organizations like peers that are so vital and so important and valuable to people really is going to have an impact that I don't think the state's ready to see," said Steve Hazen, a staff member at Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services, describing peer-run programs as a lifeline that can engage people before crisis.
The commenters tied their concerns to broader shifts in how money is managed. Michael Lim, who said he serves on the behavioral commission in San Mateo County and is a certified peer support specialist, warned that centralizing funds in Sacramento can weaken local trust and effectiveness: "Recovery only happens at the speed of trust," he said, urging the commission to consider cultural differences across California's 58 counties.
Several speakers cited Proposition 1 and the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) as background for their concerns. Javier asked directly, "Where's that housing?" and demanded transparency about where Prop 1 money is going. Jana and others urged technical assistance to help peer-run groups diversify their funding beyond state and Medi-Cal sources.
Advocates also pressed for structural safeguards if committees are combined. Joel and Carmela warned that consolidation could reduce space for focused discussion and suggested subcommittees or other mechanisms to preserve attention on distinct issues. Ben Renteria, a director in the SUD outpatient network of care, promoted the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model as one option; he noted there are "around 27 CCBHCs" in California supported by federal grants and referenced a 2016 state planning grant and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act as potential pathways for protection.
Kimberly Marquez Cortez said peer support is both intervention and early intervention, arguing that layoffs would disproportionately harm LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities and erode trust: "Peer support is essential to a responsive and equitable behavioral health care system," she said.
Participants asked the commission to publicize concerns broadly and to accept written feedback. Chair Chambers thanked speakers for showing up, acknowledged the constraints that led to compressed agendas and said she would work with the vice chair on follow-up. The clerk said staff will accept longer written public comment at publiccomment@bhsoac.ca.gov and will try to organize another listening session.
No formal motions or votes occurred during the listening session; the meeting concluded with the chair adjourning the session.
