Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/prop-63/)
The bill, proposed by state Sen. John Moorlach, would make it clear that local police and hospitals could use money from state Proposition 63 for emergency treatment of adults who are in danger of seriously harming themselves or others.
Orange County’s unspent millions is just one example of how a massive program created by a ballot initiative to improve mental health programs has major accountability issues, watchdogs say.
As many mental health services in Orange County suffer the consequences of chronic underfunding, the county has built up about $220 million in unspent taxpayer money that California voters specifically earmarked for expanding mental health services.
Supervisor says OC might become the first large California county to adopt legislation that allows courts to order treatment for mentally ill adults.
Supervisor John Moorlach is among those urging Gov. Jerry Brown to sign a bill allowing state money to be used in implementing the mental health law.
Orange County officials have decided to not renew an exclusive $500,000 grant for Latino Health Access’ promotores program, which focuses on community health prevention. Could this be political payback for a race-fueled controversy from a couple years ago?
The report recommends increasing city services and pushing the county to adopt laws that will better help homeless adults who are mentally ill.
The law, which took 13 years to be passed, has been implemented
in only one county.
Orange County Supervisors will consider implementing Laura’s Law
in the wake of the Kelly Thomas beating in Fullerton.
A recent voter-backed initiative is funding new mental health programs across Orange County. But the traditional one-on-one care that clinicians have long provided mental health patients is being cut.
