Proposition 1 would reallocate state funding to focus on housing for those with severe mental illness.
Butte County Behavioral Health Director Scott Kennelly said early intervention in schools, as well as vocational and crisis programs and local drop-in centers could all face reduced funding or possibly closure.
“The prevention, early intervention programs that are so critical to people avoiding becoming severely mentally ill, severely addicted, things like that, will be at risk,” Kennelly said.
He said the reduced funding could make many mental health issues in the county worse.
“You’re just creating a problem by cutting the services upstream and focusing them on the downstream area,” he said.
Butte County Behavioral Health is planning community input sessions before the upcoming election.
The next session will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the Chico Masonic Lodge.
Click "listen" at the top or bottom of this story to hear an interview with Scott Kennelly.
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