Policy development in psychiatric disability and rehabilitation: best practice planning for positive system...

This article provides an overview of international, national, and local policy initiatives that support the clinical and programmatic changes being championed in psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery. California, with the 6th largest economy in the world and one of the largest public mental health systems, has become a leader both nationally and internationally in modeling such change efforts. The Mental Health Services Act of 2004 (MHSA) has been the vehicle within the state that has set up the framework for the transformation. Many of the components of the MHSA support the national recommendations of the President's New Freedom Commission. A case example contrasting the California MHSA and the President's New Freedom Commission recommendations is included to highlight how California has conceptualized and begun to implement those recommendations.