Local Mental Health, Addiction And Homeless Services In Sonoma County

Press release from the Sonoma County Government:

August 6, 2020

Providing Mental Health Services to Children, Seniors, Veterans and those Experiencing Homelessness

Sonoma County strives to provide essential services for children, veterans, seniors and those experiencing homelessness. In these challenging times, many rely on Sonoma County for necessary mental health treatment, psychiatric care or addiction treatment.

These times are difficult for many of us, and the current COVID-19 pandemic has created additional barriers for some in accessing necessary services.

Need for Additional Services

Here in Sonoma County, where many people experience homelessness and 60% of households are impacted by a mental health condition, resources are strained.
First responders and law enforcement are often left to handle mental health and substance abuse emergencies. In addition, the need for services for those experiencing homelessness has increased. The growing COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted our most vulnerable populations and underscored the importance of having access to health care and a safe place to live

Budget Cuts Impacting Our Community

At the same time that more and more residents need treatment, lack of Federal and State funding has forced significant reductions to services in our county. The entire community feels the impact of lacking mental health and substance use disorder services. People often turn to emergency rooms to seek treatment, making hospitals overcrowded.
Without additional funding, local services face even more cuts. Additional funding is needed for Sonoma County to be here with essential care for those who need it most – children, veterans, seniors, those experiencing homelessness and people facing trauma or drug addiction.

Potential Local Measure: Sonoma County Local Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure

To prevent additional service reductions and ensure local residents have access to mental health treatment and substance abuse services, Sonoma County is considering placing a local ¼ cent sales tax measure on the ballot this November. Although no final decisions have been made, the potential measure could generate approximately $25 million annually to provide:

• Services for children, veterans and seniors
• Emergency psychiatric care
• Mental health and addiction facilities
• Services for those experiencing homelessness
• Behavioral and mental health crisis assessment
• Suicide prevention
• Permanent Supportive Housing

Fiscal Accountability Would Be Required

• Every penny would stay in Sonoma County
• No funds could be taken away by the State or go to other communities
• Independent citizens’ oversight and annual audits would be required

Sonoma County Is Here for You

We welcome your feedback and questions as the County explores funding measures to protect mental and behavioral health services in our community.

Please contact Leah Benz at (707) 565-6614 with any questions or comments.

This press release was produced by the Sonoma County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.