How will the initiative help children facing mental illness?
The Mental Health Services Act creates children’s services targeted to those not covered by existing programs, particularly those with untreated mental disorders placing them at risk of severe mental illness, removal from home, suicide or violent behavior. Additionally, the Act assures that parents will not be required to relinquish custody of a child in order to make the child eligible for medically necessary mental health care services. 5. Where will the money come from to pay for these new programs? The Mental Health Services Act pays for expanded programs through a 1% surcharge on income above $1 million per year applied to each dollar earned over $1 million. The surcharge would raise approximately $600 million per year. The program phases in over a three-year period. Some costs for facilities and education and training of new personnel are included in the initiative’s funding. 6. Who will ensure that the money is spent properly? The measure creates a new Citizens Oversight and Acc
