“We encourage everyone to participate to help guide the future of behavioral health care in Riverside County.”
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Community meetings focused on how to improve the delivery of mental health services in Riverside County will be held next week, with an open invitation to residents to take part and share opinions.
“Engagement and input from residents are crucial to shaping effective and responsive behavioral health services,” Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health Director Dr. Matthew Chang said. “We encourage everyone to participate to help guide the future of behavioral health care in Riverside County.”
Officials will specifically solicit input on proposed changes to the local Mental Health Services Plan, a product of voter-approved Proposition 63 from 2004, which resulted in increased income tax assessments on residents earning more than $1 million annually to pay for expanded therapeutic resources.
The county is seeking to expand and reconfigure some of the mental health services prescribed by Prop 63, including components related to early intervention for youth suffering depression, programs for children with disabilities and suicide prevention.
“Through the in-person and remote forums, residents can delve into the MHSA Plan and associated programs, ask questions and share their feedback,” according to an RUHS statement. “All comments will be incorporated into the plan submitted to the county Board of Supervisors and the California Department of Health Care Services. This … ensures the voices of residents directly influence local behavioral health services.”
The forums are scheduled on the following dates and at the following locations:
— Tuesday, May 28, 3-7 p.m., Moreno Valley Conference & Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick St.; and
— Thursday, May 30, 3-5 p.m., Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, 47-470 Van Buren St., Indio.
Recordings of the meetings will be made available via RUHS’ social media pages, which can be viewed at https://www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health/MHSA.
Further details can be found at www.RUhealth.org, or by calling 951- 955-7198.
