Our Impact

Since our founding in 2015, the Steinberg Institute’s work has generated billions of dollars for vital programs that directly impact the lives of California’s most vulnerable. At the same time, we’ve shifted the narrative around mental health and substance use policies.  We achieve these victories by partnering with like-minded organizations and individuals and inspiring leadership on mental health and substance use policy.

A few notable highlights...

2022 Steinberg Institute Impact Report

But there’s much more work to do. To meet the urgent challenges facing our state, this year, our dedicated staff and board developed a strategic plan focused on our commitment to tackling key challenges and ensuring everyone receives the quality care they deserve whenever, wherever and for as long as they need it.  

Graphic stating: "AB 988: Established a framework and sustained funding for the 988 crisis continuum" next to a phone with 988, Crisis Line, dialed.
September 29, 2022
AB 988
Launching the 988 crisis hotline​

Key sponsor of first-of-its-kind law establishing a framework and ongoing funding for the 988 crisis continuum through a small telephone line fee.

Secured $20 million to launch California’s 988 hotline for mental health crisis calls, ensuring California leads the way in connecting people in crisis with trained mental health professionals.

September 29, 2022
Room with a bed, chair and desk.
September 29, 2020
AB 1766
Housing for people with mental illness

The state is now required to collect critical data on board and care homes that provide a crucial housing option for people with severe mental illness.

September 29, 2020
Nurse reading a folder by a window.
September 29, 2020
AB 890
Addressing the workforce shortage

Made an immediate impact on the workforce shortage by allowing licensed nurse practitioners to work at the top of their license without direct physician oversight.

September 29, 2020
Darrell Steinberg and other Steinberg Institute supporters at a press conference.
September 25, 2020
SB 855
Requiring insurance coverage for mental health

Established California as the first state in the nation to require true parity, commercial health insurers are now required to cover needed mental health and addiction services, just as they cover treatment for physical health.

September 25, 2020
People lined up to ask questions at a microphone.
September 25, 2020
SB 906 / SB 803
Certifying people with lived experience for support
Established California as the Brought California in line with the rest of the nation by creating a peer support specialists certification process. Now people with lived experience who have received training can provide (and be paid for) invaluable support to people seeking care.
September 25, 2020
People walking and displaying signs in support of Propositions 1 & 2.
November 6, 2018
Proposition 2: Housing for homeless facing mental illness
Secured the Governor’s, legislature’s, and voters’ support to leverage up to $2 billion in bonds, by redirecting existing state funds to build up to 20,000 permanent supportive housing units for people who are homeless and live with a serious mental illness.
November 6, 2018
The outside of a hospital building.
September 30, 2018
SB 1152
Safe discharging of hospital patients
Instead of discharging homeless patients onto the street, hospitals now must develop discharge plans, better ensuring they end up in a safe place.
September 30, 2018
Graphic stating "SB 1113: First-ever voluntary standards for workplace mental health" with coworkers talking in background.
September 11, 2018
SB 1113
Workplace mental health support
Led the way to ensure the state develops and promotes the first-ever voluntary standards for workplace mental health. It’s time people who live with a mental illness are accommodated at work.
September 11, 2018
Doctor leaning down and holding hands with elderly patient.
October 13, 2017
AB 1340
Training for primary care providers

Primary care providers now receive the basic training they need to recognize the symptoms of common brain health conditions, and provide appropriate treatment or referrals.

October 13, 2017
Darrell Steinberg speaking into a microphone.
October 2, 2017
AB 1315
Early detection of serious mental illness

Inspired the first of its kind public-private partnership to fund evidenced-based treatment for the early detection of psychosis and other symptoms of serious mental illness in young people before they become disabling.

October 2, 2017
Man with clipboard leads youth in group discussion.
September 25, 2016
AB 1299
Supporting foster youth
A 20-year gap in services for foster youth was closed by creating an immediate transfer of services and payment to ensure that these vulnerable young people receive an uninterrupted continuum of care when moving from one county to another.
September 25, 2016
Man with clipboard leans down to girl.
October 3, 2015
SB 11 / SB 29
Decriminalizing mental illness
California law enforcement now receives increased training for de-escalation techniques, decreasing the likelihood of deadly outcomes when responding to psychiatric crisis calls.
October 3, 2015
Darrell Steinberg talking at a podium.
January 5, 2015
Steinberg Institute Founded

Darrell Steinberg launches the Steinberg Institute, dedicated to advancing sound policies on mental health in California.

January 5, 2015
Testimonial from Dr. Mark Ghaly
Testimonial from Toni Atkins
Testimonial from Patrick Kennedy

Securing Mental Health Funding

The Steinberg Institute’s efforts have led to $5 BILLION toward initiatives impacting all Californians 

$2B

Bar graph representing $2 Billion

Proposition 2: Establishing the No Place Like Home Program, financing permanent housing for people with mental illness who are homeless or at risk for chronic homelessness

$2.1B

Bar graph representing $2.1 Billion

Addressing California’s homelessness crisis through evidenced-based solutions and mental health treatment 

$340M

Bar graph representing $340 Million

Increasing access to mental health resources for California’s students, including drop-in centers, school/county partnerships, workforce development and trauma screening programs

$200M

Bar graph representing $200 Million

Funding for innovative training, fellowship and retention programs to rebuild California’s behavioral health workforce

$186M

Bar graph representing $186 Million

Dedicated annual funding for the 988 crisis continuum in California, connecting callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline through an easy to remember three digit number

$134M

Bar graph representing $134 Million

Early intervention services for California county mental health departments and increasing access to the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline by adding additional languages

$130M

Annual funding to build apartments for people living with severe mental illness and experiencing homelessness, including wrap-around services

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