New Homeless Alliance Builds Strategy, Alignment

The Alliance is a collaborative entity formed early this year to align homeless services, planning, and funding among stakeholders in Stanislaus County

On May 9th the first Stanislaus Homeless Alliance meeting was held, kicking off a critically important partnership in the community. The Alliance is a collaborative entity formed early this year to align homeless services, planning, and funding among stakeholders in Stanislaus County. The group consists of several community leaders representing organizations or agencies that work to end homelessness.

In December of 2018, the community approved this structure to align efforts and streamline the process of making funding decisions in the County aimed at addressing homelessness. The Alliance includes City and County elected officials and nonprofit leadership as well as community members concerned with a growing homeless population in our communities. Participation includes representation from Stanislaus County, City of Modesto, City of Turlock, City of Ceres, West County (Patterson/Newman), East County (Riverbank, Oakdale, Waterford and Hughson), Focus on Prevention, Community System of Care, and the Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority.

The monthly Stanislaus Homeless Alliance pubic meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to be heard and policy decisions to be made. Ideally this structure will allow County, City and Community representatives to move more rapidly in concert, to make important policy decisions impacting some of our most vulnerable. Funding opportunities and project updates will be discussed each month. Cities will be responsible to bring forth their plans and match them to the broader vision of what we want to see prioritized as a County. Most importantly, the community will now have a single public forum in which to engage on the issue of homeless strategies, programs and outcomes in Stanislaus County.

Please visit Stanislaus Community System of Care for future meeting notices and agendas for the Stanislaus Homeless Alliance.

Mental Health Awareness Month

More than 2 million children, adults, and seniors are affected by potentially disabling mental illnesses every year in California.

More than 2 million children, adults, and seniors are affected by potentially disabling mental illnesses every year in California. Thirty years ago, the State of California cut back on its services in state hospitals for people with severe mental illnesses, without providing adequate funding for mental health services in the community. To address this issue, Proposition 63 was approved by voters in 2004. Proposition 63, also called the Mental Health Services Act, was enacted in 2005 by placing a one percent tax on incomes above $1 million. It provided the first opportunity in many years to expand county mental health programs for all populations: children, transition-age youth, adults, older adults, families, and most especially, the unserved and underserved.

The Mental Health Services Act is made up of five components: Community Services & Support; Prevention & Early Intervention; Innovation; Capital Facilities & Technological Needs; and Workforce Education & Training. The goal of the Prevention & Early Intervention component is to help counties implement services that promote wellness, foster health, and prevent the suffering that can result from untreated mental illness. Effective Prevention and Early Intervention requires collaboration with consumers and family members in the development of projects and programs, and has a strong focus on recognizing early signs of mental illness, promoting and improving access and linkage to mental health services, and reducing stigma and discrimination related to mental health.

On May 3, 2019, the Prevention & Early Intervention division at Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month with a special event open to County staff and the public. These efforts reflect our ongoing work to fulfill the promise of Proposition 63. As an agency and a community partner, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is committed to improve Stanislaus Countyâ€™s public mental health system and invites you to become part of the mental health movement.

SSI & SSP Recipients May Qualify for CalFresh

Seniors and disabled residents who receive SSI and SSP may soon be eligible to receive CalFresh assistance.

More Help on the Way to Fight Hunger in Stanislaus County.

Stanislaus County seniors and disabled residents who receive Supplemental Security Income and State Supplementary Payments (SSI/SSP) may soon be eligible to receive CalFresh food assistance.

Beginning June 1, 2019, recipients can apply for monthly food benefits to buy food at grocery stores and farmerâ€™s markets that accept easy-to-use electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. The idea is to help stretch food budgets and provide more healthy choices.

For more information on how to apply, visit calfreshfood.org or C4Yourself.com You can also call 1-877-652-0734.

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New Homeless Alliance Builds Strategy, Alignment

Mental Health Awareness Month

SSI & SSP Recipients May Qualify for CalFresh