Community Services & Supports (CSS)

Purpose: Community Services and Supports (CSS) is the first and largest component funded under MHSA. This component focuses on those with serious emotional disturbances or mental illness for the following target populations:

  • Children and Families
  • Transitional Age Youth
  • Adults
  • Older Adults

CSS funding is allocated to “systems of care” that focus on the target populations. CSS Programs are implemented within three functional categories:

  • Full Service Partnerships
  • General System Development
  • Outreach and Engagement

CSS Programs strive to meet the following goals: 

  • Reduce disparities in service access
  • Reduce subjective suffering from mental illness
  • Reduce hospitalizations
  • Reduce homelessness
  • Reduce incarcerations
  • Reduce substance use/increase access to services
  • Reduce ER visits
  • Increase employment/vocational training
  • Increase meaningful use of time, capabilities, improvement in school, work and daily activities

Visit the CSS Programs page to learn more about Merced County's approved CSS Programs or contact the MHSA Coordinator at
(209) 381-6800.