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. Through our Vision 2030 initiative, the Institute is working to ensure that the billions of dollars allocated for mental health and substance use services through the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) are effectively tracked and evaluated.
In the past, California failed to properly measure the statewide outcomes of behavioral health spending, leaving gaps in understanding its impact. The Steinberg Institute is leading efforts to correct this by establishing clear accountability measures.
The “No Excuses” framework outlines specific metrics—such as suicide rates, incarceration, school dropouts, homelessness, hospitalizations, and overdoses—to track the system’s success in improving lives. These data-driven benchmarks will create a baseline by 2026 and ensure progress is measured over time.
By pushing for robust, public reporting of behavioral health outcomes and fiscal transparency, the Steinberg Institute is driving systemic change. With Vision 2030, the goal is clear: a behavioral health system that works, is accountable, and delivers meaningful results for California’s most vulnerable residents.