Riverside County Invites Community Input on Future of Behavioral Health Care
Monday, May 19
Riverside County residents are invited to join Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health (RUHS-BH) to provide feedback and learn about the annual update to the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan.
Community members may ask questions, share input and help shape the county’s behavioral health policies either in-person or virtually at scheduled public forums and hearings.
"Listening to our residents is not just important—it’s the heart of how we build stronger, healthier communities," said Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. "Each voice matters and these forums are a powerful way for our community to come together and shape the future of behavioral health services that truly reflect local values and needs."
The dates and locations of in-person public forums and hearings are detailed below. Forums will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and offer a chance to interact one-on-one with representatives from each component of the MHSA in a more personal setting. Hearings, held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the same location, provide a formal space for community members to share public comment and ensure their voices are part of the official planning process:
- Desert Region – Thursday, May 1, Civic Center Park, Family YMCA of the Desert, 43930 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert
- Mid-County Region – Thursday, May 8, Valley Wide Recreation Park, 901 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto
- Western Region – Thursday, May 15, Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd., Riverside
MHSA was established by California voters in 2004 to support behavioral health initiatives through a 1% tax on annual personal incomes over $1 million. The funding expands services for individuals with serious behavioral health challenges and supports prevention, early intervention, infrastructure and workforce training.
As the state prepares to transition from MHSA to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), this year’s input is especially critical, giving residents the opportunity to directly influence how MHSA funds will be allocated and help guide how services evolve under the new BHSA framework in alignment with local needs.
"Riverside County thrives when residents are active in the growth of local behavioral health services," said Dr. Matthew Chang, Director of RUHS-Behavioral Health. "Public input helps us provide responsive, effective and accessible behavioral health care tailored to our community's needs."
All feedback collected through forums and hearings will be integrated into the MHSA Plan annual update submitted to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and the California Department of Health Care Services.
Those unable to attend in person can participate virtually on the RUHS-BH website.
“Public Hearing in Your Pocket” videos are accessible 24/7 in both Spanish and English (with ASL interpretation) May 1-25. The videos present the same information shared at in-person hearings and can be viewed and commented on anytime through the RUHS MHSA landing page at www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health/MHSA.
Recordings will also be available on RUHS-BH’s Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram channels.
For additional details or questions, contact (951) 955-7156 or visit www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health/MHSA.
