AB 2700 – From Crisis to Care Act

How does it align with yli’s values?

Over the last 6 years, California has been piloting programs to transport individuals in behavioral health crises to destinations such as crisis stabilization units and sobering centers as appropriate. An independent UCSF evaluation found that 98% of patients transported to a mental health crisis center were effectively treated for their behavioral health needs. The evaluation also found that ambulance patient offload times were considerably lower for transports to mental health crisis and sobering centers, meaning ambulance crews can respond more quickly to other 911 calls. 

To expand access to vital behavioral health crisis services while relieving the pressure on our EMS systems and emergency rooms, this bill:

• Requires a gaps-and-needs analysis of behavioral health crisis facilities in each county, which can serve as an alternative destination to emergency rooms for behavioral health crises. This would allow each local emergency services agency to understand critical information for building out its alternative destination network and infrastructure.
• Requires local emergency services agencies to develop an alternative destination plan with protocols for taking people to the appropriate places other than the emergency department.

yli partners with thousands of youth across the state, the majority of whom are low-income youth of color. In recent years, mental health and substance use have become the core issues around which most of our programming focuses. Our youth depend on us to pass policies that work effectively to address these health crises.

This policy aligns with our Health Justice Platform, which advocates for comprehensive and holistic health care for all people.

What is yli doing about it?

We have just submitted a letter endorsing this bill, and we are showing our support on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Who supports this bill?

• Steinberg Institute (Sponsor)