In the article, “San Jose Mayor Supports State Mental Health Reforms,” published in the San José Spotlight, Chief Public Policy Officer Eva Terrazas speaks about the reforms that target those with severe mental illness and the unhoused population. A portion of the revenue from the Mental Health Services Act will fund housing for those with mental illness and substance use disorders. Specifically, Terrazas is concerned the new language eliminates funding for children ages 25 and younger, which will decreasing funding for prevention and early intervention.
“(If) there is no dedicated (funding) set aside for children, (we) are concerned that children will be left out of some significant fundings in the future for behavioral health.”
