At yesterday's PSNS meeting, we got an update on local implementation of the SB 1045 Housing Conservatorship program and delved into the imperative of moving forward key elements of Mental Health SF even, or especially, in the time of COVID-19. I remain frustrated that the (1/6)
very modest expansion of conservatorships allowed by SB 1045 has been so molasses-like, but we do finally seem close to getting the first few potential candidates the care that they need. I have invited staff to report back to the Committee on Sept. 10, by which time they (2/5)
anticipate filing the first conservatorship petitions under the law. W/ respect to Mental Health SF, it's obvious we urgently need to pursue several of the core components of that legislation: coordination of behavioral health care for unhoused people, deployment of mental (3/6)
health crisis outreach teams, opening up places for these teams to take people who are in crisis, and expansion of treatment bed capacity for those under conservatorship & otherwise in need of residential treatment contemplated in that legislation. Those investments are my (4/6)
highest priority for this year’s budget. We cannot afford to wait until COVID-19 is in the rear-view mirror – the number and needs of folks on the street are growing too quickly to defer for another year. Thank you to all the neighbors and advocates who called in to share (5/6)
their stories & demands, especially Rescue SF which is organizing neighbors around SF to push for positive change on our streets (rescuesf.org). Please stay engaged, make your voices heard, and join me in calling for these critical behavioral health investments. (6/6) 
