Welcome to the CASRA Newsletter

In this issue:

-Save the Date for the CASRA 2025 Fall Gathering 

-Governor Newsom announce latest strategy to remove homeless encampments

-A stretgey to remove encampments but enough beds for those unshelterd

-A new push to bring recovery homes in state's "Housing First" homeless model

-They found their loved ones after years apart which was just the beginning

-A webinar series for clairity, understanding and information regarding Payment Reform in California

Enjoy!

If you have news you would like to share or a colleague you would like to spotlight because of the great work they do or just because they are a great person or both, let us know by contacting joe@casra.org.

CASRA is a statewide organization of private, not-for-profit, public benefit corporations that serve clients of the California public mental health system.

Member agencies provide a variety of services that are designed to enhance the quality of life and community participation of youth, adults and older adults living with challenging mental health issues. Read more

Our member agencies are continually looking for new employees or volunteers to join their workforce.

To see current openings and find out additional information about CASRA Member Agencies, please click below.

A benefit of membership in CASRA is receiving four hours of training for your staff. For more information, please contact joe@casra.org

If you are a CASRA member agency and would like to advertise your learning opportunity, training or event for the benefit of other CASRA member agencies, please contact us at events@casra.org.
There are a few guidelines:
-You are a CASRA Member Agency
-Your event is free of charge
and, as a reminder the Newsletter is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month

CASRA facilitates a number of support groups for people working at CASRA member agencies. The support groups provide people working in similar roles opportunities to share experiences, information, and challenges. They meet monthly for approximantely one hour. for more information contact the person listed for each group.

Social Rehabilitation Facilities (SRF)
Meets: First Tuesday of the month at 1 PM

Human Resources
Meets: First Thursday of the month at 11 AM

EmploymentVocational Rehabilitation Services
Meets: First Thursday of the month at 3 PM

For information regarding any of the above groups contact:
Chad Costello, chad@casra.org

Wellness Services (Well Talk)
The Wellness Services support group is now online. For more info contact Joe Ruiz, joe@casra.org

The California Association of Social Rehabilitation Agencies

Mailing Address:
3350 E. 7th Street, #509
Long Beach, CA 90804

Email: casra@casra.org

Phone: (562) 343-2621

To reach us: use our Contact Form

Newsom Wants Cities To Force Homeless Californians To Move Camp Every 3 Days

From calmatters.com
By Marisa Kendall, May 12, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom has a new strategy to eliminate the large, long-standing homeless encampments that have been a thorn in his side throughout his administration: Push cities to make them illegal.

The governor on Monday called on every local government in the state to adopt ordinances that restrict public camping “without delay.” He provided a hypothetical model ordinance that lays out exactly what he’d like to see banned: Camping in one place for more than three nights in a row, building semi-permanent structures such as make-shift shacks on public property, and blocking streets or sidewalks.

“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets,” Newsom said in a statement. “Local leaders asked for resources — we delivered the largest state investment in history. They asked for legal clarity — the courts delivered. Now, we’re giving them a model they can put to work immediately, with urgency and with humanity, to resolve encampments and connect people to shelter, housing, and care. The time for inaction is over. There are no more excuses.”

Gov. Newsom Wants Cities To Get Tough on Homeless Camps. But There Aren’t Enough Beds for Unsheltered

From sfchronicle.com
By Maggie Angst, May 12, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom is once again calling on local officials to eradicate homeless encampments, but a critical challenge remains.

There are too many homeless people and not enough shelter beds to accommodate them.

As officials across the Bay Area try to exercise their broad authority to clear encampments and appease frustrated neighbors, many unhoused people are without an adequate alternative to the streets. While some may just need a bed in a shelter to stabilize, others would benefit most from mental health or addiction treatment. In either case, there’s a shortage in nearly every city and county. Read More

A New Push To Bring Recovery Homes Into State’s ‘Housing First’ Homeless Model

From latimes.com
By Doug Smith, May 13, 2025

After a long journey of personal recovery and years volunteering as a substance abuse peer counselor, Thea Golden launched her own recovery home.

She and her husband, Tyler, bought a house in the Jefferson Park neighborhood west of USC, turned an illegally converted garage into a permitted ADU, formed a nonprofit and put out word through their unofficial social services network that they had two beds for women seeking a sober environment.

Her tiny program, LA Recovery Connect, opened in 2021. Since then, five enrollees have lived in the unit behind their home and moved on to their own housing — two reunited with family and three into their own homes paying their own way. Read More

They Found Their Homeless Loved Ones After Years Apart. But That Was Just the Beginning.

From calmatters.com
Byh Marisa Kendall, May 1, 2025

The last time Julie Crossman saw her little sister, Nanie Crossman, it was 2019 and Nanie was moving out of Julie’s San Francisco apartment, destination unknown.

For the next six years, Julie worried — especially every time it rained. She assumed Nanie was homeless, but she had no idea where she was or how to find her.

“I just couldn’t sleep at night because I was so scared,” Julie said, her voice breaking. “I was really scared that she was just, like, cold and alone.”

Then, in January, Julie got a text from her half-brother. It was a link to a CalMatters article about unhoused people voting. And it quoted Nanie. Read More

If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, there are resources available to provide free and confidential support. Call 988 or the Teen Line at 1-800-TLC-TEEN or The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 for LGBTQ young people.

The Catalyst Center, in collaboration with DHCS, is hosting a series of Payment Reform Trainings designed specifically for county behavioral health departments and Medi-Cal providers. These trainings are a must-attend for anyone involved in implementing Payment Reform.

Why Attend?
-Gain clarity on Payment Reform goals and implementation strategies.
-Learn how to maximize reimbursement and streamline workflows.
-Engage in Q&A sessions with industry experts and peers.
-Ensure your organization is prepared for the changes ahead.

Training Schedule: Click on title to register
May 22, 2-4PM: Managing for Success – Explore strategies for fiscal sustainability, telehealth integration, and aligning with DHCS’ CalAIM goals.
June 26, 12-2PM: A Summary and Discussion – Wrap up the series with a comprehensive review, key takeaways, and an extensive Q&A session.

Download the Webinar Series Flyer

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month

"I must fight in the open."

Clifford Beers