Integrated Funding to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails: Key Considerations for California County Executives
This brief outlines how California county executives can leverage their funding opportunities to maximize local mental health and public safety efforts. The brief also highlights ways that these executives can work to reduce the number of people who have mental illnesses in their jails by collaborating with partners to fund data-informed plans that address the mental health needs of this population.
Prepared with support from the California Health Care Foundation, the key considerations were developed based on interviews with county executives from across the state, reviews of numerous counties’ individual Stepping Up plans, a discussion at the annual California Association of County Executives conference, and input from an advisory group comprising both local and state policymakers familiar with different funding streams and local budgets.