Behavioral Health Board Annual Report/Integrated Plan Committee Meets

Greetings!

As you know, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors-approved Bylaws of the Behavioral Health Board (BHB) require the BHB to:

  • Submit an annual report to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on the needs and performance of the County’s behavioral health system.
  • Advise the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the local behavioral health director as to any aspect of the local behavioral health and substance use disorder programs.
  • Review and approve the procedures used to ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stage of the planning process.
  • Review and comment on the County’s performance outcome data and communicate its findings to the State Behavioral Health Planning Council.

The BHB has determined that, in order to produce our bylaws-required Annual Report, to fulfill its remaining responsibilities under the bylaws, and to fulfill its responsibilities under the legislation known as Proposition One (to advise the Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) on the development of its required three-year Integrated Plan), the BHB needed to establish a Standing Committee consisting of four members of the BHB.  The BHB voted to establish an Annual Report/Integrated Plan Committee, and three of its members were appointed to the Committee at its meeting on  November 18, 2025.  The Committee members are Gregory Fearon (Chair), Alexandra Jacobs, and Angelina Grab.

The BHB’s Annual Report/Integrated Plan Committee (AR/IP) met for its first meeting on January 6th, 2026 from 4pm-5pm in the Santa Rosa Conference Room at 1450 Neotomas Way, Santa Rosa.  BHB Members Alexandra Jacobs and Gregory Fearon were in attendance.  Member Angelina Grab attempted to join via Zoom, but failed to succeed due to erroneous posting information from DHS on the published agenda.  

The discussion which occurred focused on the two questions posed on the noticed agenda:

  • How to Gather Annual Report Material
  • How to Review and Advise the Department and Board on its Integrated Plan .   

The AR/IP Committee decided to undertake three activities which will support its development of its Annual Report to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors over the next three months;

  • Assemble and publish, available to the public, all materials it can find on the “Health of Health Services” in a format which allows members of the public to comment in real time on the materials.
  • Prior to each monthly meeting of the AR/IP Committee, provide editorial direction toward phased completion of the Annual Report
  • By March 31st, approve and forward a proposed BHB AR/IP Committee-Recommended Annual Report to the BHB, and DHS.

The Committee also discussed a workplan to meet its responsibilities to advise DHS, and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, on the Proposition One FY 26-29 Integrated Plan.  The proposed Integrated Plan is being developed by DHS, and staff provided the BHB with a schedule last July which outlined DHS activities conducting stakeholder input, internal Department research, and collaboration with the California Department of Health Care Services (CDHCS) in anticipation of forwarding a draft Integrated Plan to the Sonoma County Executive Officer this month for approval, and to the CDHCS by March 31st.  Upon receiving comments from CDHCS, DHS is then planning on producing a final draft of the Integrated Plan, which would then be published and set for a public hearing at the May 18th meeting of the BHB.  Comments received from the BHB and the public would be considered for inclusion in the recommended Final Integrated Plan presented to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors for approval at its June 16th meeting.

The AR/IP Committee adjourned its first meeting at 5:20pm.  

Resident Health Care

CBO: Millions Will Lose US Health Coverage If ACA Subsidies Expire

A new report released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that if the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) extended subsidies are allowed to expire at the end of 2025, millions of people will become uninsured and premiums will rise.

Responding to the Senate Finance Committee, the CBO found that “not extending the credit will increase the number of people without health insurance and raise the average gross benchmark premiums for plans purchased through the marketplaces”, The Hill reported.The extended tax subsidies were first enacted in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and extended to the end of 2025 through the Inflation Reduction Act. The premium tax credits lower out-of-pocket costs for eligible households.“Without a permanent extension, CBO estimates, the number of uninsured people will rise by 2.2 million in 2026, by 3.7 million in 2027, and by 3.8 million, on average, in each year over the 2026-2034 period,” the report states.The CBO estimate for 2026 was somewhat lower as the office assumed some people would stay on due to automatic renewals and needing more time to respond to the expired tax subsidies.The report also projected that gross benchmark premiums will rise by 4.3 percent in 2026 if the subsidies expire, rising by an average of 7.9 percent between 2026 and 2034.With the Republicans Party set to hold a trifecta of power beginning next year, the extended tax subsidies are unlikely to be renewed before the end of 2025. The CBO has previously estimated it would cost $335 billion over 10 years if the subsidies were made permanent.

Still, Democrats are endeavoring to preserve the provisions, privately offering Republicans a deal for a one-year extension of the subsidies Thursday night, according to The Washington Post.

New Housing Projects

On December 31st, Governor Newsom Announced Nearly $2.8 Billion in Awards in 2025 to Address Homelessness, Build More Housing, and Support Stronger Communities

Here are the housing projects which were awarded funding by the Governor, and the sources of revenue and details for each:

Local Housing Trust Fund – HCD announced $53.4 million in Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) awards for 23 applicants in 18 counties. No Sonoma County Awards. The LHTF awards will provide matching grants to local and regional housing trust funds established by cities, counties, Native American tribes and nonprofit organizations to support the construction, conversion, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repair of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). ADUs, commonly known as granny-flats or in-law units, help increase the supply of affordable housing in California, especially in infill areas. 

HCD also announced $26.7 million for three projects from the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) program. No Sonoma County Awards. The federally funded NHTF program supports the construction of permanent homes for extremely-low income households. Today’s awards will help fund 214 new affordable rental homes in three counties.

More than $26 million awarded from the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program to seven local jurisdictions was also announced today. The PLHA Non-Entitlement Local Government Competitive Component awards will help support the development of 477 affordable multi-family rental homes. The PLHA program also provides formula grants to entitlement and non-entitlement jurisdictions based on the formula prescribed under federal law for the Community Development Block Grant. HCD recently awarded nearly $25 million to 36 local governments through the PLHA Formula Allocation.  The City of Santa Rosa was awarded $456,230.

HCD also announced $107.5 million in Portfolio Reinvestment Program (PRP) awards. PRP helps preserve affordable housing in California by investing in properties that need repairs and are at risk of converting to market rate. Today’s awards support 11 housing communities, helping to improve the quality of life for residents and preserve 491 homes for future generations. West Avenue Apartments, an application submitted by Burbank Housing Development Corporation was received for a loan. of $9,750,000.

In addition, HCD announced a Tribal Homekey award of $10.1 million for the construction of a new 40-unit housing community, with 28 homes reserved for people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, and $57.7 million to support 27 projects of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Resilient Infrastructure Program that assists local jurisdictions with mitigation-related infrastructure needs to support risk reduction from wildfire, flooding, and earthquake hazards.

Just last week, HCD announced another five awards through Proposition 1-funded Homekey+ to create permanent supportive housing for veterans and other Californians with behavioral health challenges. So far in 2025, Homekey+ has awarded $636.1 million to create 37 affordable housing communities with wrap-around services. These communities will add 1,817 new homes, with 454 reserved for veterans.  The acquisition and rehabilitation of 6500 Redwood Drive in Rohnert Park was awarded $28,758,453 to Burbank Housing Development Corporation.

“From funding the creation of ADUs and permanent supportive housing to preserving affordable homes for future generations, today’s awards highlight the Newsom Administration’s innovative approach to addressing homelessness and tackling California’s affordable housing crisis,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “As we approach the New Year, we reaffirm our commitment to working with our partners to support our communities and build more housing for all.”

Earlier this year, Governor Newsom announced multiple awards to support communities, address homelessness and provide much-needed housing:

Earlier this year, Governor Newsom announced multiple awards to support communities, address homelessness and provide much-needed housing:

  • $118.9 million from the HOME Investments Partnerships American Rescue Plan and the Emergency Solutions Grants programs to fund the development of 487 homes, support emergency shelters and homeless outreach, and provide rapid rehousing and supportive services.
  • $144.5 million from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to build multi-family and single-family homes and support local housing assistance programs.
  • Nearly $52.6 million from the Disaster Recovery Housing Accelerator Program to help jumpstart construction in two counties severely impacted by winter storms. The Saggio Hills Phase II Development for 41 units in Healdsburg was awarded $11,598,206 and 9% in tax credits to Freebird Development Company. The Dry Creek Commons Project in Healdsburg for 36 units was awarded $8,708,426 and 4% in tax credits to Burbank aHousing Development Corporation. The Redwood Glen Apartments in Windsor for 20 units was awarded $2,266,296 and 9% in tax credits to JCL Development.
  • $56 million in Transitional Age Youth Program grants to 54 counties to help provide services and housing for foster youth and young adults at risk of homelessness.
  • $181.1 million from the Homeownership Super NOFA program to help thousands of low-income Californians attain or maintain the dream of homeownership.
  • $835.3 million from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program to fund infrastructure and 2,393 new affordable rental homes.

$52.6 million from the Community Development Block Grants and Emergency Solutions Grant programs to build housing, address homelessness and revitalize communities.

In September, Governor Newsom announced $414 million in awards from the Multifamily Finance Super NOFA (MFSN) program to help create 2,099 new homes, with 2,068 reserved for low to extremely low-income Californians. HCD also announced a special MFSN NOFA (MFSN-LA Disaster) to provide an additional $101 million to support recovery and rebuilding efforts from 2025 wildfires within Los Angeles County. Those awards will be announced in early January 2026.



HEAPA Grants

Outreach staff are among the most valuable system change players. In the course of their work encountering unhoused individuals, they learn the weaknesses and strengths of the homeless system of care. Born of the stories they hear from client histories, and validated by program staff feedback, outreach staff are uniquely positioned to detect the potential barriers to effective care. The reports they prepare in order to advocate at Coordinated Entry weekly roundtables contain important evaluations of our current systems.

HEAPA finds that work and understanding to be valuable investigative reporting. It has established the HEAPA Stories Project, and will be awarding $100 cash awards to monthly writers whose submissions illustrate compelling evidence of the need for system change.

Applicants are limited to one request per month, no longer than one page, typewritten and consisting of a single-spaced, page. Story content should be based on a single un-identified individual, or group of individuals. Awards will be made within two weeks of submission, and funds are completely unrestricted in their use. Submissions should be emailed to: gfearon@heapa.org, or gfearon@gmail.com.

Sonoma County Behavioral Health Draft Integrated Plan

Here is the agenda for the January 6th meeting of the Behavioral Health Board’s Annual Report/Integrated Plan Committee.

Here is the Gap Analysis conducted last year.

Sonoma County DHS Final Gap AnalysisDownload

Here is the latest Annual Report for review.

Here is the latest Draft Plan, on which you can provide comments.

Here is a financial spreadsheet of the proposed Departmental spending.

Copy of Integrated Plan for Proposition One – Sonoma CountyDownload

Two HEAPA Grants

On December 21st, the HEAPA Board of Directors approved two small grants to community agencies serving our unhoused community. The first was a general operating grant to Sonoma County Acts of Kindness for $1,000 in support of their efforts to provide personal clothing, sleeping gear, and other vital resources for those they serve on the streets. The group has always been of service at encampments, in locations where the unhoused congregate, and has operated almost entirely by volunteers and community giving.

The second grant for $1,580 was given to Sonoma Applied Villages Services (SAVS) for supplies and forty hours of community organizing support for their effort to establish a sanctioned camp on public land. Convinced that recent federal actions to change the rules concerning funding of homeless programs will result in fewer successful housing placements, SAVS is renewing their decade-old insistence for a central, sanctioned housing location.

HEAPA is a nonprofit charity, organized under federal regulations, and donations to it are permitted deductions under the federal IRS rules (84-2299731). The mailing address is 2040 Elizabeth Way, Santa Rosa, CA. 95404.

Sonoma County’s HealthCare Crossroads

Short Summary

A forum on the major threats facing healthcare access for the Latino community in Sonoma County was held on November 14th.

Long Summary

At the Los Cien Health Care Forum, where leaders discussed dire threats to community healthcare. Keynote speaker Francisco J. Silva detailed how federal policies like HR 1 and a state ballot initiative could devastate Medi-Cal and community clinics, disproportionately impacting Latino families. A panel of local health leaders reinforced the urgency, discussing the local impact of these cuts, the rise in uninsured patients, and the strain on services. The core message was a call for unified community action to protect the healthcare safety net.

Membership and Business Support

A membership program has been relaunched after being closed for reimagining. A dedicated email about membership will be sent, including a link to join online. A new non-profit and business directory is being developed to provide a trusted list of services. There is a focus on creating programs to support business owners and professionals inclusively, rather than forming a formal business chamber.

Los Cien Health Care Forum

The event began with a welcome by Herman G. Hernandez, Executive Director of Los Cien. Acknowledgments were given to partners, including the Luther Burbank Center, and the design team volunteers. The BRIDGE alumni program (Building Representation, Inclusion, Diversity, and Governance Excellence) was recognized. A tribute was paid to Rick Nolan, the retired CEO of the Luther Burbank Center, for his decade-long partnership and support of the Latinx community.

Keynote on Threats to California Healthcare

Keynote speaker Francisco J. Silva, CEO of the California Primary Care Association, discussed major challenges facing healthcare.

Impact on Latino Communities:

Cuts to Medi-Cal and community health centers are direct cuts to the Latino community, as they form the largest group of enrollees and patients.

Federal HR 1 Impacts:

This federal law represents a significant rollback of Medicaid access. It imposes work requirements and frequent eligibility hurdles. Nationally, it could cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and strip $32 billion from community health centers. In California, it is estimated that 1-3 million people could lose Medi-Cal coverage.

State-Level Cuts:

State proposals aim to limit Medi-Cal for undocumented immigrants by freezing enrollment and introducing a $30 monthly premium. These changes threaten the “Health Care for All” progress made in the state.SEIU UHHW Ballot Initiative. A statewide ballot initiative filed by SEIU UHHW is described as the “most dangerous attack on community health centers in California history.” An independent analysis projects the initiative would: Divert $1.7 billion from patient care into penalties; Push a majority of clinics into financial deficit, with 47% at risk of closure; Force cuts to enabling services like translation, transportation, and community health worker programs. The public is urged to read petitions carefully and understand that this measure could cripple the healthcare safety net.

Local Impact in Sonoma County

One in three residents of Sonoma County (approximately 140,000 people) is on Medi-Cal. Proposed policy changes will double the county’s administrative workload for recertifications while simultaneously cutting its caseload-based funding. The cost of uncompensated care will financially impact everyone, from private employers to public services. Safety-net providers are already seeing an increase in patients, with the Jewish Community Free Clinic reporting a 25% rise in the last 60 days. There is a growing level of fear among patients, with some rationing visits or hesitating to seek care due to immigration concerns.

Community Collaboration and Response

Sonoma County’s healthcare leaders are working together to create solutions for the impending crisis. The community is advised to seek information from trusted sources like 211, OpenDoorsSC.com, and local health organizations to combat misinformation. Health centers affirmed that they do not ask for or share patient immigration status with government agencies. Partnerships are key, with organizations like Kaiser Permanente investing in community health grants and housing projects based on shared needs assessments.

Behavioral Health Crisis

The panel highlighted a severe and worsening crisis in behavioral and mental health. There is a critical shortage of services, clinicians, beds, and facilities for all populations, not just those on Medi-Cal. The county’s behavioral health system currently has a waitlist of over 500 people for its high-need services. This crisis existed before the current policy threats and is expected to be exacerbated by them.

Call to Action

Leaders emphasized that local action is critical, as federal and state support is no longer reliable. The community is called to get involved, advocate, and hold legislators accountable. Local control over funding through measures like Measure O is crucial for sustaining services. Training future healthcare professionals within the community is a key strategy, as many tend to stay and practice where they train.