Behavioral health public policy research
Vision 2030 is our initiative to intervene in the mental health and substance use humanitarian crisis gripping California and ultimately have care systems in this state that are rising to the challenge and helping people.
A vital part of meeting our Vision 2030 goals is our Public Policy Research and Systems Change Initiative, leveraging data to bring greater transparency to behavioral health spending in California, tracking associated outcomes for those receiving care. The Steinberg Institute’s North Star for this initiative is based on our commitment to ensure the most vulnerable among us are provided with a continuum of care that results in their ability to thrive and live their lives with dignity. We are confident that by creating transparency through independent research and data analysis, we will be able to tell this story in a way that inspires transformational systems change.
Vision 2030 Goals
Build Our Workforce
Modernize and strengthen California’s behavioral health workforce to meet the diverse needs of the entire state.
Reduce Homelessness
Reduce the number of unhoused people with mental illness or substance use disorders by half.
Reduce Incarceration
Reduce the number of people with mental illness entering our criminal justice system by half.
Reduce Hospitalization
Reduce the number of people entering hospital emergency departments due to behavioral health crises by half.
Our latest research and policy briefs
AB 988 and the Crisis Care Continuum: A Strategic Blueprint for Setting Proper Outcome Measures
This policy brief identifies 988 outcomes measures that move beyond operational call center metrics and measure people-focused outcomes, efficiencies in connecting individuals to care, and more.
Research Report: Assessing How California Counties Determine Levels of Care for Serious Mental Illness
New research from the Steinberg Institute takes an in-depth look at how California counties define and assess levels of care for adult individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses (SMIs).
Research Report: Assessing Level of Care Gaps in California’s Behavioral Health Crisis Continuum
To help policymakers, providers, and stakeholders better understand the state of behavioral health crisis care in California, our research team released a report assessing crisis care capacity across the state.
Boom, Bust, Repeat: California has an opportunity to finally break out of the 70-year cycle of broken behavioral health care promises
Analysis of 70 years of behavioral health funding uncovers how instability continues to threaten care in California, with periods of reform and investment too often followed by budget shortfalls, shifting political priorities, and program cuts.
In Jeopardy: Prop 36 and federal cuts put Californians with addiction challenges at severe risk
Proposition 36 threatens to roll back progress by establishing treatment-mandated felony for individuals charged with drug possession. Here’s why.
Holding California’s Behavioral Health System Accountable: The Steinberg Institute’s No Excuses Approach
For too long, California’s behavioral health system — encompassing mental health and substance use disorder services — has lacked comprehensive accountability. The Steinberg Institute, a leading advocate for behavioral health reform, is taking decisive action to change that.
Policy Brief: Recent federal actions and uncertainty place California’s behavioral health transformation at risk
California has committed unprecedented investments and innovative approaches to behavioral health challenges. But without continued partnership with the federal government, the potential to create lasting change will not be realized. Explore our infographic and read the full policy brief.
Dread, burnout and exhaustion: Opportunity for policy solutions to address California’s overwhelmed behavioral health workforce
This research highlights areas where policy may drive change in supporting the behavioral health workforce including training programs, highlighting the importance of collaborative care models, and support the modernization of tools like technology to drive down costs and decrease caseloads.
Making sense of California’s complex behavioral health court programs
California’s court systems continue to utilize innovative approaches to address their intersection with the state’s behavioral health crisis. The state’s most recent approach, the CARE Act, has the potential to redirect people away from involuntary treatment.
California’s budget deficit puts momentum to rebuild California’s behavioral health workforce at risk
California is already facing a devastating behavioral health workforce shortage. We estimate that California will need to add approximately 375,000 behavioral health providers in the next 10 years to meet the current and future demand for services.
Infographic – California’s Jails: A Revolving Door
Properly addressing mental health, housing and substance use needs would keep people from returning to jail.
Best Practices: Recommendations for Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Spending
Counties have flexibility in using public safety realignment funds to support behavioral health services in their communities. This flexibility allows counties to tailor local services but puts the burden of identifying and selecting the best available programs and practices on the counties.
Misaligned: California’s Local Public Safety Funding Doesn’t Meet Today’s Needs
A policy brief examining how California’s counties allocate state funding dedicated to reducing recidivism by funding evidence-based interventions, such as behavioral health services.