A series of community meetings focused on how to improve the delivery of mental health services in Riverside County will get underway next week, with an open invitation to residents to take part and share their opinions.
“Every voice in Riverside County is essential,” Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health Director Dr. Matthew Chang said. “This public hearing is an excellent opportunity for the community to contribute to the future of mental health care in Riverside County. We strongly encourage everyone to participate.”
Behavioral health officials will specifically solicit input on proposed changes to the Mental Health Services Three-Year Plan. The plan is a product of voter-approved Proposition 63 from 2004, which resulted in increased income tax assessments on residents earning more than $1 million annually to pay for expanded therapeutic resources.
The county is seeking to expand and reconfigure some of the mental health services prescribed by Prop 63.
Some of the components are related to early intervention for youth suffering depression, programs for children with disabilities and suicide prevention.
“By participating in the public hearings, community members have a unique opportunity to influence how these funds are used, shaping the future of mental health care in their region,” according to an RUHS statement.
The forums are scheduled on the following dates and at the following locations:
— June 20, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., SRCAR Auditorium, 2355 East Florida Ave., Hemet;
— June 27, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Moreno Valley Conference & Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick St.; and
— June 29, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage.
“Every comment made (will be) incorporated into the plan submitted to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and the California Department of Health Care Services,” RUHS stated.
Additional information is available at www.RUhealth.org, or 951-955-7198.