San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Director Veronica Kelley, DSW, has been appointed by Governor Newsom to the California No Place Like Home (NPLH) Program Advisory Committee, a delegation designed to advise the governor and the Department of Housing and Community Development on the implementation of the program and other statewide homelessness issues. Kelley serves as the sole member representing a county behavioral health department.
NPLH was signed into legislation in 2016 and dedicated up to $2 billion in bond proceeds to invest in permanent supportive housing for persons who are in need of mental health services and are experiencing homelessness, chronic homelessness, or who are at risk of chronic homelessness. Permanent supportive housing integrates affordable rental housing with supportive services to help people who are homeless and/or have serious and long-term disabilities, such as mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders, access and maintain stable housing in the community. Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds will repay the bond.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be a voice in the statewide discussion surrounding homelessness and behavioral health services,” said Kelley. “Through the NPLH program, we can focus on ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable population has greater access to housing and the supportive services needed to reach and maintain optimum wellness.”
Kelley has been DBH’s director since 2016, where she held several positions from 2009 to 2016, including cultural competency officer, deputy director of regional operations and alcohol and drug services, and assistant director. She was a consultant at CNS Clinical Trials from 2010 to 2016, a service chief at the Orange County Health Care Agency from 1999 to 2009, and a clinical social worker for the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine from 1996 to 1999. Kelley earned a doctorate of social work degree from Capella University and a master of social work degree from the University of Southern California.