Transforming California's mental health and substance use care systems through education, advocacy, accountability, and inspired leadership.
California sets the standards for the nation in prevention, treatment and recovery; where all people receive quality care and support when, where, and for as long as they need it.
Founded by former Sacramento Mayor and Speaker pro Tem Emeritus of the California State Senate Darrell Steinberg, the Institute is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sound public policy and inspiring leadership on issues of mental health and substance use.
Since its inception in January 2015, the Institute has helped enact sweeping improvements in California behavioral health policy, including securing $2 billion to provide housing and care for homeless people living with mental illness (No Place Like Home); promoting prevention and early intervention programs and research so that people receive the care they need before their condition becomes disabling; expanding school suicide prevention programs and college mental health services; establishing peer support specialist certification as a recognized and reimbursable part of the behavioral health workforce; advocating for sentencing reform and law enforcement training with the aim of decriminalizing mental illness; leading the way on implementation of the new 988 crisis line; and educating elected officials and leaders so that they embrace quality mental health and substance use care as a top-tier priority.
In 2023, the Institute launched Vision 2030, a bold initiative to dramatically reduce the number of people with behavioral health needs who cycle through homelessness, incarceration, and unnecessary hospitalization. Vision 2030 provides a shared framework and measurable goals for state and local leaders, philanthropy, and advocates to transform California’s behavioral health systems and build a strong behavioral health workforce.
Inspiring leadership remains central to the Steinberg Institute’s mission. Each May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we honor Mental Health Champions—unsung heroes working across all facets of care delivery, advocacy, and policymaking to ensure Californians receive the mental health and substance use care they deserve.
Despite momentum around destigmatizing mental illness and substance use disorder, serious challenges remain. Through Vision 2030 and our expanded capacity, the Steinberg Institute is working to ensure California leads the nation in behavioral health transformation—anchored in equity, transparency, accountability, and a belief that access to care is a fundamental right.
Our priorities are shaped by Vision 2030, the Steinberg Institute’s long-term initiative to reduce incarceration, homelessness, and hospitalization for people living with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. That vision also includes expanding California’s behavioral health workforce so that the system has the people and capacity needed to meet growing demand.
$5B
in funding for mental health and substance use initiatives for California secured
12+
Steinberg-sponsored legislation passed
7.7k
supportive housing units to be delivered for individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
988
suicide and crisis hotline framework established
Our priorities are shaped by Vision 2030, the Steinberg Institute’s long-term initiative to reduce incarceration, homelessness, and hospitalization for people living with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. That vision also includes expanding California’s behavioral health workforce so that the system has the people and capacity needed to meet growing demand.
Modernize and strengthen California’s behavioral health workforce to meet the diverse needs of the entire state.
Reduce the number of unhoused people with mental illness or substance use disorder by half.
Reduce the number of people with mental illness entering our criminal justice system by half.
Reduce the number of people entering hospital emergency departments due to behavioral health crises by half.
Our Commitment to Equity
The Steinberg Institute aims to create an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters acceptance and respect for diversity. In doing so, we seek to deepen understanding and knowledge among people and families with lived experience of mental illness and substance use disorder and community partners across diverse backgrounds. We wish to cultivate empathy and collaboration and promote the well-being of our staff, partners and the communities we serve. The Steinberg Institute celebrates and is enriched by the diversity of our whole community.
We reject all forms of discrimination.
