San Luis Obispo County Mental Health Services Act

Draft Prevention and Early Intervention Component

of the Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan

The San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department (SLOBHD) is excited to put forth a plan to receive Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) component funds. The goal of the proposed PEI programming is to build the capacity of the community to increase resiliency by decreasing risk factors, and increasing the protective factors which promote positive mental health and reduce the negative impact of mental illness.

MHSA funds will be used to implement the following five new projects, which include eleven distinct components. Services are expected to begin in early 2009. They were selected based on the Department of Mental Health’s required outcomes and approved strategies, funding criteria and our community’s input and priorities. Their implementation represents a significant shift in mental health programming for our county.

• Mental Health Awareness and Stigma Reduction Project. A county-wide universal and selective prevention project for all ages that includes education for school-aged youth, teachers, and parents, a media campaign, as well as targeted outreach to underserved cultural populations.
• School-based Wellness Project. A prevention and early intervention project to build wellness and resiliency, and reduce risk factors and stressors among elementary, middle and high school students.
• Family Education and Support Project. This prevention and early intervention project includes parenting classes and resources, and “on demand” coaching for parents facing specific challenges.
• Early Care and Support for Underserved Populations. This selective prevention and early intervention project provides self-sufficiency supports for high-risk transition-aged youth, depression screening and supports for older adults, and outreach and engagement services to low-acculturated Latino communities.
• Community Wellness Project. Resource Specialists and Community-based brief or short-term therapeutic services will be provided in this prevention and early intervention project.

The proposed plan was released on November 18, 2008 to the public for a mandatory 30-day review. A public hearing was held December 17, 2008.  To read the complete proposal, please visit:

http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/health/mentalhealthservices.htm

For questions, or for more information, please contact Frank Warren, Program Supervisor at fwarren@co.slo.ca.us