The Steinberg Institute
We bring together rigorous public policy research and thought leadership with actionable policy solutions to drive meaningful change for mental health and substance use care systems.
Discover how the Steinberg Institute, founded by former Senate pro tem Darrell Steinberg over a decade ago, leads California in mental health policy, research, and advocacy. Join our network of donors, policymakers, and advocates driving state-wide change.
Vision 2030 is our plan to come armed with information, ready to rally resources where they are needed, and ultimately have care systems in this state that are rising to the challenge and helping people. We’ll challenge assumptions, ensure transparency and provide recommendations based on solid data to fix what’s broken and rapidly scale what’s working.
Our Model
California’s behavioral health workforce will be modernized and strengthened to meet the diverse needs of the entire state.
California will reduce the number of unhoused people with mental illness or substance use disorder by half.
The number of people with mental illness entering our criminal justice system will be reduced by half.
The number of people entering Hospital Emergency Departments due to behavioral health crisis will be reduced by half.
The Steinberg Institute and iFoster are proud to announce a new website aimed at expanding access to behavioral health careers for Opportunity Youth in Los Angeles County. As part of the launch, the organizations released a joint video that highlights the role of Peer Support Specialists in California’s behavioral health system, featuring the stories of former foster youth who are entering the field through iFoster’s specialized training and placement program.
The California Department of Insurance has adopted new rules to enforce mental health parity under SB 855, ensuring private insurers cover mental health and substance use treatment. Learn what the new regulations mean for access and accountability.
The Steinberg Institute’s new position paper, Boom, Bust, Repeat, examines more than 70 years of behavioral health funding in California. Dating back to the Short-Doyle Act of 1957, we found that periods of reform and investment are too often followed by budget shortfalls, shifting political priorities, and program cuts. This volatility leaves counties consistently scrambling to maintain care with unpredictable funding streams.