04/17/2013
Gov. Brown says that state officials will prepare to release up to 10,000 inmates if they are forced to obey court-ordered prison population caps. California was ordered to reduce its prison population to help improve inmates' medical and mental health care services. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."
04/16/2013
Since July 2012, San Mateo County's Veteran's Treatment Court has been providing additional support and treatment opportunities to convicted military veterans struggling with addictions. Veterans who successfully complete the program -- which takes about 18 months to three years -- can have their records expunged and fines forgiven. HealthyCal.
04/15/2013
A review by the Sacramento Bee finds that hundreds of patients of Nevada's primary mental health hospital have been sent by bus to California and other states in recent years. California officials say the practice is not permissible and raises safety concerns. Sacramento Bee.
04/12/2013
A New York Times editorial argues, "The only way for California to satisfy constitutional standards for its prisons is to reduce the number of inmates and improve the mental health care in those institutions without delay." It argues that a case over the mental health care provided to California inmates "is closely intertwined with the long-running litigation over unconstitutional overcrowding in California's prisons." New York Times.
04/09/2013
Experts say that President Obama's fiscal year 2014 budget plan likely will include Medicare provider payment cuts but will not propose structural changes to the program. In addition, the plan is expected to include $235 million in mental health program funding. Modern Healthcare et al.
04/08/2013
A federal judge has rejected Gov. Brown's request to end federal oversight of California's prison health care system. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says that state officials plan to appeal the ruling. Los Angeles Times et al.
04/08/2013
Nearly 10% of the Oakland Police Department's 650 patrol officers have completed a training program for dealing with individuals with mental illnesses, post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues. Data show that the department receives about 19 mental health-related 911 calls each day, or nearly 7,000 annually. San Francisco Chronicle.
04/04/2013
A UC-Irvine-led study found that daily stressors can have a significant effect on individuals' long-term mental health. The study -- which was published in the journal Psychological Science -- found that how survey respondents handled such stress predicted whether they would experience anxiety or depression up to a decade later. KPCC's "KPCC News."
04/03/2013
A report by consultants for a federal receiver overseeing California's prison health care system recommends that the state develop a specialized division to oversee inmate care. It also says that California should maximize its federal funding for inmate care. Los Angeles Times.
04/02/2013
Assembly member Ken Cooley has introduced legislation that would alter part of the state's prison realignment law. The bill would send certain drug traffickers to prison to help ease the burden of long-term incarceration on county jails. AP/Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee.
03/28/2013
A federal judge says that the state might have committed an "ethical violation" by organizing inmate interviews without their lawyers present to boost a bid to regain control of the prison health care system. The state says it made no attempt to hide such action. Sacramento Bee et al.
03/27/2013
Today, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton will hear arguments on whether federal oversight of California's prison mental health care system should end. Critics say that more should be done to reduce inmate suicides before ending federal oversight. AP/U-T San Diego, KQED's "State of Health."
03/21/2013
On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a 90-day study to determine whether the county should implement Laura's Law, which allows courts to require treatment for residents with severe mental health conditions and a history of violence or hospitalization. The supervisors also considered the benefits of the Home Outreach Team, a local pilot program similar to Laura's Law that is limited to patients who are willing to accept treatment. U-T San Diego.
03/20/2013
A state report finds that Kaiser Permanente has mismanaged its mental health services by making patients wait long periods between appointments and offering inaccurate information on individual therapy coverage. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
03/19/2013
Los Angeles County health and probation officials have launched a pilot program at a juvenile detention center in Santa Clarita to test Girls Health Screen, a first-of-its-kind screening survey to better identify and treat physical and emotional issues among girls in juvenile detention centers. Los Angeles Times.