Cal. WIC § 5845.5 — California Code / Code wic / Division 5 / Part 3.7 / Section 5845.5
Section 5845.5
Status: in_force

In addition to the activities authorized under Section 5845, the commission may establish a fellowship program in accordance with this section for the purpose of providing an experiential learning opportunity for mental health or substance use disorder consumers and mental health or substance use disorder professionals.

(a) Participants in the fellowship shall serve on an annual basis and may serve only one term as a fellow.

(b) The fellowship program established under this section shall support the broad goals of the commission and be based upon the following principles:

(1) To enhance opportunities for the work of the commission to reflect the perspective of persons with personal experience and state-of-the-art practices in the mental health and substance use disorder fields.

(2) To strengthen opportunities for the goals of the Behavioral Health Services Act and the work of the commission in promoting those goals and to be accessible and understandable to mental health and substance use disorder individuals, mental health and substance use disorder professionals, and the general public.

(3) To improve opportunities for outreach and engagement with individuals who have a mental health disorder or a substance use disorder and mental health and substance use disorder professionals relating to the work of the commission.

(4) To increase the awareness of mental health and substance use disorder individuals and professionals of the goals of the Behavioral Health Services Act and both of the following:

(A) The role of the state in meeting those goals.

(B) The role of public policy, regulation development, fiscal strategies, use of data, research, and evaluation and communication strategies to improve mental health and substance use disorder outcomes in California.

(c) (1) The commission shall establish an advisory committee to provide guidance on the fellowship program goals, design, eligibility criteria, application process, and other issues as the commission deems necessary.

(2) The advisory committee shall include persons with personal experience with the mental health and substance use disorder system, mental health and substance use disorder professionals, persons with experience with similar fellowship programs, and others with diverse perspectives who can assist the commission to meet the goals of the fellowship program.

(d) The commission may enter into an interagency agreement or other contractual agreement with a state, local, or private entity, as determined by the commission, to receive technical assistance or relevant services to support the establishment and implementation of the fellowship program.

(e) (1) The commission shall ensure that the fellowship program does not cause the displacement of a civil service employee.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “displacement” means a layoff, a demotion, an involuntary transfer to a new class, an involuntary transfer to a new location requiring a change of residence, a time base reduction, a change in shift or days off, or a reassignment to another position within the same class and general location.

(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.