Mental Health: Black Mental Health Navigator Certification.

Assembly Member Jackson's proposal to establish a Black Mental Health Navigator Certification program aims to create specialized mental health service liaisons within California's existing community health worker framework. The Department of Health Care Access and Information would develop certification criteria and training requirements focused on mental health resources, crisis intervention for non-emergency situations, and culturally specific practices for serving Black communities.

The certification program would require navigators to complete comprehensive training in entry-level assessments, resource navigation, and wellness services connection. The department must incorporate stakeholder feedback in developing the criteria and may partner with community-based organizations that possess expertise in Black mental health and wellness. Upon implementation, certified navigators would serve as intermediaries between community members and mental health professionals, helping individuals access state resources and licensed care providers.

To track the program's reach, the department would collect and publish annual data on certification rates and employment statistics. This reporting would include demographic information about certificate holders and track the number of certified individuals working in community health worker roles, while maintaining individual privacy protections. The implementation of both the certification program and data collection system remains contingent on legislative funding appropriation.