Blogs

By: @Colleen Haley

Last week, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and Hayward Area Recreation and Park District provided more than three-dozen prospective state and federal legislators with a first-hand look at the innovative approach special districts take in addressing statewide challenges at the local level. Through CSDA’s partnership with the California Civic Leadership Institute (CCLI), CSDA and its members delivered a one-hour webinar overviewing the value of special districts and demonstrating projects impacting mental health as an example of their innovative approach to best serving their communities.

CCLI is non-partisan organization managed by the California League of California Cities. Its goal is to prepare current local government officials who express interest in running for state and federal office with knowledge needed to be successful lawmakers. They do this by inviting local leaders to participate in their Policy Expertise Development Series. The topic of this past virtual event was on mental health and CSDA was asked to contribute.

Sacramento Mayor and former State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg welcomed the participants and provided a history of mental health policy in the state. He authored Proposition 63, The Mental Health Services Act (2004) and supported Proposition 1, the Behavior Health Services Act (2024). Steinberg said California has come a long way in its approach to mental health, noting that when he started in the Legislature in 1998 no one was talking about it and now it is a major priority of the state.

CSDA Chief Advocacy and External Affairs Officer Kyle Packham then provided some education about special districts before introducing CSDA’s member districts. He explained that because of the specialized-nature of special districts, they are able to be efficient, effective, and innovative, with long-term thinking. Packham summarized special districts as local service specialists that are exceptionally focused on serving their community.

Following Packham’s Special Districts 101 presentation, the webinar shared CSDA-produced videos documenting two special districts leading the way in addressing mental health. The first was the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. Lance Maples, Emergency Services Manager for the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District said the Fire District’s Behavioral Health Response Program has transformed the way behavioral health crises are managed.  From the intake call through transport to a mental health facility, the Behavioral Health Response Program is designed to provide the right care at the right time. The result is improved 911 caller experience, patient outcomes, and system-wide efficiency.

The next speaker with the General Manager for the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, James Wheeler, who highlighted the district’s Health Equity Initiative. As designed, the program provides accessible health and wellness opportunities to all areas of the district. Additionally, the Rec Rx program prescribes free recreation "prescriptions" to at-risk community members through a partnership with Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center.  Furthermore, the district’s Sweat HARD and Play HARD series offers free fitness and sports programs in underserved areas.

CSDA is proud to sponsor and actively participate in CCLI and appreciative of our partnership with CalCities. Visit Special Districts Impacting Mental Health on CSDA’s YouTube page to learn more about these innovative program. 

Special district officials considering state or federal office who are interested in one day applying to participate in CCLI may contact CSDA Chief Advocacy and External Affairs Officer Kyle Packham at kylep@csda.net.