Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed on Nov 10 Veterans Day and highlighted major investments in veterans’ mental health and further support for Native American veterans.

“California’s veterans have dedicated their lives to protecting our country, and it is our duty – and our honor – to ensure that we provide for them and their families when they return home. These investments will help us expand access to and develop even more lifesaving supports for all our veterans,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) has awarded $33.4 million in grants to community organizations in seven counties through the California Veterans Health Initiative, Mental Health Support Grant Program (CVHI-MHSGP). This funding will enable community-based organizations to expand access to outpatient mental health treatment options for California’s veterans and their families. The grants are designed to increase veterans’ access to mental health services, reduce patient wait times for appointments, and develop veteran-specific mental health care options. 

In addition, the community-based providers awarded CVHI grants will use the funding to expand statewide telehealth and other accessible mental health services to veterans and their families. The grants will also work to increase California’s mental health workforce specializing in the veteran population by providing training and clinical supervision to the next generation of mental health professionals.