​​​​​​The Behavioral Health Response and Rescue Project

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified behavioral health needs across the state, creating new barriers for people with mental illness and substance use disorders and increasing the prevalence of these conditions. In response, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) implemented the Behavioral Health Response and Rescue Project (BHRRP) to increase access to behavioral health care for all Californians. Through BHRRP, DHCS has assisted communities in need by expanding the behavioral health workforce, supporting mobile crisis services, and funding many other projects.

BHRRP is funded by supplements to the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) and the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Funding was made available to SAMHSA through passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.