The California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) is administering the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Act (SB 82, Statutes of 2013) which provided $142.5 million (General Fund) for capital outlay for Mobile Crisis, Crisis Stabilization and Crisis Residential. As provided by SB 75, Statutes of 2015 (Committee on Budget), up to $3 million of the original appropriation may be used for capital outlay for Peer Respite sites.

CHFFA has been a tremendous partner to counties, and has proceeded with emergency regulations for the Peer Respite option, including a grant application package as well. The CHFFA Board discussed this issue at their January 5th meeting. The Board not only unanimously adopted the emergency regulations for Peer Respite, they also made a motion to set aside up to $3 million specifically for Peer Respite.

As such, it will have its own separate pool of funds. Any unused Peer Respite funds would then be used for Crisis Residential, Crisis Stabilization, and Mobile Crisis. Peer Respite will be part of Round 5. This round will open up for applications on January 8th and will have its own application.

A few counties presently operate Peer Respite sites, including Santa Cruz and Los Angeles. Several rural and suburban counties are interested in this model because it provides a very sustainable and much needed crisis mitigation service using trained Peers. As noted by SAMHSA and many others, Peer Respite is an evidence-based service.