CA AB2281

Establishes the Early Childhood Mental Health Services Act, administered by the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, to award grants improving mental health access and services for children ages birth to 5 and their families.

Eligible applicants include childcare providers, therapeutic education providers, community-based organizations, health care providers, local government agencies, and health care entities that submit collaborative partnership plans.

Grant-funded activities must address goals including prevention of mental health needs, timely access to services, reducing disparities in underserved populations, reducing stigma, and preventing negative outcomes through education and early intervention.

Grants may fund onsite services, parental suicide prevention, infant mental health prevention, outreach to high-risk children, care coordination, mental health personnel hiring, staff professional development, and family support services.

Commission must develop performance metrics, report to Legislature by March 1, 2024 and March 1, 2026 on implementation progress, and implementation is contingent upon appropriation in the Budget Act.