CVV News l April 4, 2024

Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (MCBHRS) has opened a 30-day public viewing and comment period for its Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) – Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Update.  Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 5847 states that county mental health programs shall prepare and submit Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plans and Annual Updates for MHSA programs and expenditures.  Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 5848 states the Behavioral Health Advisory Board shall conduct a public hearing on the draft Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan or Annual Update at the close of the 30-day public review and comment period.  MHSA Plans and Annual Updates must be adopted by the County Board of Supervisors and submitted to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) within 30 days after Board of Supervisors adoption.

The MHSA Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Update and Public Comment form will be posted on the MCBHRS Department website.  Residents may download the document from the website or request an electronic version of the document by emailing mhsa@countyofmerced.com.  The public can also request a hard copy of the documents by contacting the department at (209) 381-6800, Ext. 3611, or toll free at 1-866-626-6472.  A Public Hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2024 as part of the Merced County Behavioral Health Advisory Board Meeting.  The meeting will be held in person.  The Public Hearing will start at 5:15 p.m.  Upon request, interpretative assistance will be available to Spanish and Hmong-speaking residents.

To provide input, recommendations and comments, please call (209) 381-6800, Ext. 3611, or complete a Public Comment form and either email the completed form to mhsa@countyofmerced.com or mail or hand deliver it to MCBHRS.