fresno elections 2008

Yes. But all these plans are being destroyed by the lack of fiscal responsibility by a Board that embraces fiscal fantasy and tooth-fairy budgets.

Yes. I have supported efforts to create an inpatient facility for children and believe that our efforts will result in a facility in the near future. I lead an effort to bring the valley counties together to create a joint project for inpatient services and I support the current plan to issue an RFP for these services. Housing for the mentally ill is badly needed. The County has recently joined with the Housing Authority to address these issues. With new leadership at the Housing Authority, I am optimistic about this effort.

I know there is a demand for inpatient psychiatric services for children and a demand for housing for the mentally ill. Again, there is currently no money to build a new facility for these programs. However, I would work with Community Medical Centers that currently operates the adult facility – Community Behavioral Health – to see if they could expand services. While this may have been explored in the past, talks could be renewed to see the viability of such programs.

Perceived needs outstrip our resources. Counties simply cannot afford to unilaterally fund such programs except in partnership with state and federal sitting.

Mental Health services are an important safety net function of counties in partnership with the State of California. The county could not maintain its mental health programs without substantial state and federal support. In fact, because of the nature of mandated services, state government bears substantial responsibility. The way that mental health services are funded is quite complicated.

Past surpluses have withered away. The state’s and county’s fiscal crises present real problems for current service delivery, much less expansion of programs. It’s also important to note that the passage of Proposition 63 – the Mental Health Service Act – in 2004 has resulted in millions of dollars to counties for a range of mental health services and facilities.

While I would thoughtfully evaluate any proposal for expansion of treatment facilities or housing, the current budget climate is not favorable – no matter how one comes down on the merits or shortcomings of the idea. Any evaluation must occur in the context of the overall budget crisis and in consideration of possible funding sources other than the county’s general fund.