Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63)

Innovations

The Innovation component will fund creative and novel ideas and/or practices that could potentially be adopted in the mental health setting. The practices could be community driven or evidence based approaches that have been proven to work effectively in other settings and could influence or change practices in mental health settings.

The practice may even be one that has not been done before but may prove effective in mental health settings. The focus of these innovation projects is learning and since these approaches are new, not all innovation projects will be or expected to be successful.

• Innovation funds must be used for the following purposes:
• Increase access to underserved groups
• Increase the quality of services, including better outcomes
• Promote interagency collaboration
• Increase access to services

In addition, innovation projects must embody the principles of MHSA. Therefore, innovation projects should have a wellness and recovery focus, promote community collaboration, inclusive of clients and family members, culturally competent, and deliver an integrated service experience.

The Innovation component is funded through a 5% set aside from the Community Services and Supports and Prevention and Early Intervention components. If an Innovation project has proven to be successful, continuation of this project could be transitioned to these components or another funding source in the future.

Examples of Innovation projects that could be funded are:

• Administrative/governance/organizational practices, processes or procedures
• Advocacy
• Education and training for service providers (including non- traditional mental health practitioners)
• Outreach, capacity building and community development
• Planning
• Policy and system development
• Prevention, early intervention
• Public education efforts
• Research
• Services and/or treatment interventions
• A county may submit an INN work plan that adds a strategy to a currently approved CSS or PEI work plan