Little Hoover Commission to Issue a Second “Check-Up” on Prop 63 Mental Health Services Act—September 8

The following is a press release from an organization unaffiliated with Voice of OC. The views expressed here are not those of Voice of OC

For Immediate Release: Friday September 2, 2016

Mental Illness FACTS: Family And Community True Stories

LITTLE HOOVER COMMISSION TO ISSUE A SECOND “CHECK-UP” ON PROP 63 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT—SEPTEMBER 8  Meeting Contact: Rose King 916-768-8012; Teresa Pasquini (510) 334-3448

Advocates Seek Accountability for Prop 63 Mental Health Services Act/MHSA.   State/County Performance failed three independent audits.  Advocates for MHSA integrity urged Little Hoover Commission members at a May 2016 hearing to recommend further actions to ensure compliance with the voter-enacted law.  On September 8, 2016, Commissioners will issue a second “check-up” report on state and county actions to remedy problems identified in several audits.  Since Prop 63 passage in 2004, every available indicator for quality and access to treatment of serious mental illnesses has been negative.

NO INDICATORS OR REPORTS OF PROGRESS AFTER THREE OFFICIAL AUDITS

1. STATE OVERSIGHT: The governor’s Little Hoover Commission said in 2015 that Prop 63 spending on public mental health “continues to evade effective evaluation….authorities still can’t clearly show, much less measure, what more than $13.2 billion has accomplished in terms of improving services…”
2. STATE AUDIT: The California State Auditor said in 2013 “None of the entities charged with evaluating the effectiveness of MHSA programs…have taken serious efforts to do so… little current assurance that the funds directed to counties for MHSA programs have been used effectively and appropriately.”  Even Proponent Darrell Steinberg’s home district: “County of Sacramento… could not effectively demonstrate through their processes that their MHSA programs are achieving the stated intent…rarely developed specific objectives to assess the effectiveness of program services.”
3. FINANCE AUDIT:  The State Dept. of Finance Office of State Audits and Evaluations said in 2008: “An overall documented plan for the development and implementation of the MHSA does not exist.” … “Fund Distribution Not in Compliance with the MHSA.” Corrective actions ignored by Oversight Commission.
   The poverty of treatment for children and adults is confirmed by increases in suicide deaths, prison and jail populations, and Emergency Room crises.

The California State Auditor said the Commission “provided little oversight of county implementation of MHSA programs and their effectiveness.”   Advocates say claims of success by private interest groups are not backed up by any relevant data. tcpasquini@gmail.com    rking1@surewest.net

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