Welfare and Institutions Code section 5731

The Legislature finds and declares that the mental health system is a large and important segment of California’s system of health care. The Legislature further finds and declares all of the following:

(a)

Public Law 99-660 requires that the State Department of Mental Health develop a state plan for the Short-Doyle mental health system which includes all of the following:

(1)

Plans developed in response to federal planning requirements shall be submitted to the Legislature.

(2)

Evidence of broad participation from concerned citizens and mental health consumers.

(3)

An analysis of the needs of adults with a serious and persistent mental illness, children and youth with serious emotional disturbance, and persons who are homeless with a mental illness in California.

(4)

Improvements in the mental health delivery system are needed for adults with a serious and persistent mental illness, children and youth with serious emotional disturbance, and persons who are homeless with a mental illness.

(5)

Given the existing mental health funding base, priorities need to be established for the Short-Doyle community mental health system.

(6)

There is no minimum range of treatment services which should be available in every county in California.

(7)

Most funding formulas for state mental health programs are not client based.

(8)

The state has a special responsibility for the care and treatment of adults with a serious and persistent mental illness, minors with serious emotional disturbance, and persons who are homeless with a mental illness who are the most vulnerable and who require consistent supportive services to meet their health and safety needs in the community.

(9)

Legislative action is required to ensure that a comprehensive policy is developed which addresses the critical problems and key issues currently facing the mental health system in California.