State and County Mental Health Structures
The MHSA created a new structure for how mental health would be planned, run, and overseen in California, both at the local and state level. This new structure created several different opportunities and places for groups and individuals to have a voice in the programs and services being created in their communities.
Below is a list of the primary county and state government structures and positions that are part of mental health policy creation in California. Some of these were created by the MHSA, while others are mandated by the government. Several of the agencies also have committees to address specialized subject areas and offer guidance to the agency. Those committees are also listed.
While some of these structures are governing bodies, many of them have opportunities for stakeholder groups (including youth and young adults) to advocate for mental health policy change. For a longer description of these agencies and positions, follow the links below to our Who is Who and What Do They Do?! page and also check out their websites.
State-level
- California Mental Health Directors Association (CMHDA)
- Social Justice Advisory Committee
- Children's System of Care Committee
- Adult SOC Committee
- TAY SOC Subcommittee
- Older Adults SOC Committee
- California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
- California Mental Health Planning Council (CMHPC)
- Human resources Committee
- Cultural Competence Committee
- Quality Improvement Committee
- Policy and System Development Committee
- Adult SOC Committee
- Older Adult SOC Committee
- Youth and TAY SOC Committee
- MHSA Oversight and Accountability Commission (OAC)
- Client and Family Members Committee
- Cultural and Linguistic Competency Committee
- Evaluations Committee
- Mental Health Funding Committee
- MHSOAC Services Committee
- Department of Mental Health
Local Governmental Agencies/bodies
- County Mental Health Board
- Board of Supervisors
- Local Congress / Assemblyperson (Local and State)
- Youth Commission or Youth Board (if the county has one)
County MHSA Decision Makers
- County Mental Health Director
- Ethnic Services Manager
- MHSA Coordinator
- TAY Coordinator (some counties have these but not all)
- MHSA Steering Committees (changes county to county)