Transforming the Mental Health System in California
In 2004, the thousands of SEIU workers in California who assist people diagnosed with mental illnesses rallied in the face of budget shortfalls that were depriving special-needs citizens from getting the assistance they need.
|
|
|
Mental health workers discuss their strategy to pass the MHSA during the "Proposition 63 Caucus"—organized by SEIU members including Local 535's Shawn Rowland. |
Together with advocacy organizations for people with mental health issues, they pushed for a new law that not only brings hundreds of millions of new dollars into California's mental health system, but also reforms the ways mental health dollars are spent.
The "Millionaires' Tax"
The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)-on California's 2004 ballot as "Proposition 63" and commonly referred to as the "Millionaires' Tax"-increases mental health funding by taxing individuals making more than $1 million per year. It's expected to generate more than $2 billion over the next three years for the state's mental health programs.
SEIU members like Shawn Rowland, a social worker from Alameda County, gathered the necessary signatures to get the measure on the ballot, held fundraisers to help support the measure, and educated the 600,000 SEIU members in the state of California on the importance of passing Proposition 63.
"The MHSA allowed workers to work hand and hand with client self advocates, family members, community based organizations and other advocates to make a real difference in the mental health system in California," said Rowland. "People on the front line including workers and clients now have a real voice in how services are delivered to those with mental health issues."
New Funding in Action
The Mental Health Services Act has been in place for more than a year, and the hundreds of millions a year is coming in faster than expected and already reaching the counties-bolstering new and existing mental health programs.
|
|
|
Shawna Atchisona, a case manager in Ventura County and a member of SEIU Local 998 |
Shawna Atchison, a case manager in Ventura County and member of SEIU Local 998, will soon be joining the staff of a brand new geriatric mental health clinic in Oxnard for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
"Because of funding cuts, programs like this have been slashed and the population of older adults with disabilities were underserved," said Atchison. "It is really rewarding and inspiring to help these people who are facing end-of-life issues, empowering them to find relief and the skills they need to remain active in their communities, providing them the quality of life that they so deserve."
The men and women of SEIU who advocated for the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), along with those who will enter jobs that the new funding has created, will have more of a say in the way counties deliver these new services, as will the clients themselves.
"The MHSA provides the vision and hope for the dedicated workers in this field, hope for the families, and hope for people with disabilities themselves," said Atchison. "People living with mental illness have the same needs and desires as we do, and want to be a part of their communities. With this new funding, we can make this vision a reality."
Public Services Issues
Today’s Crisis in Child Care
All too often, parents face difficult challenges in finding child care providers who meet their needs. More »
