Today behavioral health advocates held a press conference urging support for an 8.5% COLA for the behavioral health and human services workforce.
The Governor’s budget was unprecedented in its support for mental health services including a 2.5% COLA but as advocates pointed out today, we are in a workforce crisis that impacts the work of our community every day. A full 8.5% COLA will help begin to change the narrative around supporting the workforce and community providers who continue to face rising costs in operating their programs.
We thank Assembly Mental Health Chair Aileen Gunther and Senate Substance Use Chair, Nathalia Fernandez for speaking and showing their support for 8.5% COLA.
There is power in speaking with the same voice and every statewide behavioral health provider did that today while raising the bar in identifying the crisis and how an 8.5% COLA will positively impact the lives of the individuals in our behavioral health and human services community.
