News — February 2026

February 2026

New Behavioral Health Laws

By Jeanette Langdell, Helpline Coordinator

Two new laws impacting behavioral health treatment in California became effective on January 1, 2026.

Senate Bill (SB) 43 makes changes to the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act—a California law governing involuntary detention, treatment, and conservatorship of people with behavioral health conditions. This is the first change to the Act in more than 50 years and establishes new diagnostic criteria and broadens the definition of “gravely disabled.”

The criteria by which people may be detained under the LPS Act include that the person is determined to be:

• • A danger to self, or
  • A danger to others, or
  • Gravely disabled.

Under SB 43, “gravely disabled” now means a condition in which a person (see boldface changes):

• as a result of a mental health disorder, impairment by chronic alcoholism, severe substance use disorder, or a co-occurring mental health disorder and severe substance use disorder.
• is unable to provide for their basic personal needs for food, clothing, shelter, personal safety, or necessary medical care.

For more information, see the SB 43 FAQ prepared by the California Department of Health Care Services.

Senate Bill (SB) 27 expands eligibility and referral pathways for California’s Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court. Under current law, eligibility is limited to individuals 18 years or older with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder. SB 27 expands eligibility to include individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features. It also requires referrals to CARE Court for individuals judged incompetent to stand trial on misdemeanor offenses (the “MIST” population).

By broadening eligibility to bipolar disorder with psychotic features, the bill acknowledges the reality that psychotic symptoms are not limited to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In addition, the bill will help ensure continuity of care by linking MIST defendants directly to community-based treatment under court supervision rather than releasing them untreated, which results in high recidivism.

SB 27 is intended to mitigate the fact that CARE implementation has been slower and narrower than originally envisioned. According to CalMatters, the program has “reached a few hundred people, far short of the thousands originally projected,” with high rates of dismissed petitions and significant variation across counties. SB 27 responds to these early shortcomings and also adds some features streamlining coordination between behavioral health departments and the court system.

NAMI California has a summary of SB 27 (and other new laws); see 2025 Legislative Wrap Up.

back to top

Upcoming February 10 General Meeting: AbilityPath

Our February 2026 General Meeting speaker is Angela Lucero Perry, South Bay Employment Services Manager at AbilityPath, a nonprofit that provides employment programs for people with disabilities. AbilityPath serves anyone who qualifies for funding through the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) or San Andreas Regional Center. This means the individual has to have a “diagnosed disability” and the desire to work. Once DOR finds them eligible, they can be sent to AbilityPath for services.

AbilityPath offers these services:

• Immersion services (4-month 80-day small classroom setting that focuses on barriers to employment)
• Employment services encompassing job development; job placement; and supported employment, including job coaching onsite at the employer.

Ms. Lucero Perry conducts ongoing outreach to businesses to continuously build the network of potential employers while maintaining relationships with the California Department of Rehabilitation and the San Andreas Regional Center. She is also a Crisis Intervention Team Trainer for the San Jose Police Department.

Angela Lucero Perry has 25 years of experience working with people with disabilities. She oversees all South Bay programming that assists people with preparing for and returning to work. Prior to joining AbilityPath in 2020, Ms. Lucero Perry worked with Services for Brain Injury as the director of programs for 18 years. She also served in a variety of HR and recruitment roles before beginning her career in the nonprofit sector.

When: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Time: 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Register for General Meeting

Zoom link will be emailed to you after you register.

The meeting is live streamed at NAMI SCC Youtube Channel . To ask questions and interact with the speakers, please register for Zoom link.

back to top

The United Effort Organization Helps Unhoused Find Shelter

By Moryt Milo

In Santa Clara County, there are more than 10,000 homeless people trying to find their way back into the mainstream of life—a crisis that has grown by 63% in the last decade. Of that number, one third to more than 50% may be struggling with mental health issues.

For these individuals, street life can easily worsen their condition without medical treatment or resources. One nonprofit, The United Effort Organization, aims to assist people in need of safe housing or public benefits through hands-on support.

When someone becomes unhoused, “You suddenly feel like you need a Ph.D. in homelessness to get out of it,” said Shari Kipp, who spoke at the NAMI-SCC November General Meeting and works part-time as the chief marketing officer for the nonprofit.

Kipp said what makes the nonprofit unique is its persistence.

“When everyone else has told us ‘no’ we look for solutions and ways to redefine barriers because there is a way as long as the client works with us,” Kipp said.

The organization’s secret sauce is its relationship building. When someone asks a volunteer, “Can you get me into housing?” the answer goes beyond “yes.” The volunteer asks what else do they need, which is not a common practice, Kipp said.

To read the complete article, click here.

back to top

NAMI-SCC Board Officer Election for 2026-2027

In accordance with our bylaws, a nominating committee will provide a slate of officer nominees that will be announced at the February 10 General Meeting at which time voting shall be open until March 15. Specific details about how to vote will be announced. The slate of nominees will be published in the March newsletter and officers will be installed at April’s General Meeting.

back to top

NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2026

We’re thrilled to announce details about NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2026! Of course, this is just the beginning: Stay tuned for updates, including fundraising information, website details, and event program.

DATE: Saturday, October 3, 2026

LOCATION: History Park San Jose, 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112

WALK MANAGER: Jennifer Larson, jlarson@namisantaclara.org

back to top

Upcoming NAMI-SCC Education Classes

Please contact the NAMI-SCC Helpline to find out about our education classes—all free to participants. Call 408-453-0400, Option 1.

The following classes will begin in March for the spring session:

• Peer-to-Peer (English and Spanish).
• Family-to-Family will start in April (English and Spanish).
• Chinese Family-to-Family (offered through Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities),  Go to NAMI Family to Family to see details.

There will be two Provider classes. The one on December 12 is a 4-hour virtual seminar. The 5-week class in person will begin on January 9. Please see the flyers on the next two pages of this newsletter for more information.

There will be two Provider classes.

• The one on February 13 is a 4-hour virtual seminar.
• The 5-week class in person will begin on February 20.

Please see the flyers below for more information.

To learn more about all of our classes, visit https://namisantaclara.org/classes/general-class-information/

back to top

Thank You to Our Donors

We 💖 Our Donors!

NAMI-Santa Clara County is thankful for the generosity of our many donors. In the last four months we received the following grants:

• • David & Sheryl Heacock-Ayco Charitable Foundation $5000
  • KLA-Tenor Foundation $50,000
  • People With Disabilities Foundation $10,000
  • El Camino Health $120,000
  • Henry W Bull Foundation $5000
  • Korean American Community Foundation $25,000
  • Macy’s $5000

These grants allow us to continue providing a wide range of programs to the public free of charge.

Please reach out to Rovina Nimbalkar at rnimbalkar@namisantaclara.org if you know of any organizations that might be interested in funding our programs.

We’d also like to acknowledge those individuals who have given over $3000. They are:

Fred & Gloria Prochaska $5000, Kristin Welter $10,000, Elaine Cardinale $5000, Jack M. and Celia Chue $19,443.73, Shilpa George $5400, Steve Shee $4,017.50, Drs Erich Elsen & Margarita Kompelmakher $3000, Keith Skinner $3000, Aakash Desai $10,000, Marlene Sayo Yamashita $5400, Ruben D. Garza $3000, Gabrielle Solleder–In Memory of George $4,893.48.

We cannot do our work without your support.

Thank you!

back to top

NAMI-SCC Executive Director Ventures to Washington, D.C.

In early December, our Executive Director, Rovina Nimbalkar, represented NAMI-Santa Clara County at the Executive Directors’ Leadership Exchange (EDLE), a gathering of NAMI leaders from across the country. This event served as an opportunity for executive directors from NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates across the U.S. to engage in peer learning and strengthening of advocacy and operations.

Rovina was on Capitol Hill advocating for NAMI’s federal mental health priorities. She met with Senator Alex Padilla, Representative Jimmy Panetta, and the health legislative staff in the offices of Representative Sam Liccardo and Representative Eric Swalwell. Together, they discussed strengthening federal support for mental health funding, access to care, and crisis services.

Rovina also networked with other NAMI representatives from California, including NAMI Greater Los Angeles County, NAMI Westside LA, NAMI Monterey County, NAMI San Mateo County, NAMI Mt. San Jacinto Incorporated, NAMI Solano County, NAMI Contra Costa, NAMI San Bernardino Area, NAMI Sonoma County, and NAMI Yolo County.

back to top

NAMI-SCC Elves at Work

By Barb St. Clair, Outreach Programs Coordinator

Each year, the holiday season arrives with more than celebration—it brings compassion, hope, and a powerful sense of community through NAMI-SCC’s Annual Holiday Drive. This cherished tradition continues to grow, and 2025 was no exception.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our volunteers, we proudly prepared and distributed 1,033 holiday gift bags. Each bag was thoughtfully assembled to bring warmth and cheer, featuring cozy fuzzy socks, festive candy canes, and a gift card—small items that carry a powerful message: you are seen, valued, and cared for.

The Holiday Drive has become so highly anticipated that we begin receiving calls as early as October from organizations eager to take part. That early excitement speaks volumes about the comfort and joy these bags bring to the individuals and communities we serve.

This past December, the gift bags were distributed to clinics, agencies, community self-help centers, and assisted living facilities throughout Santa Clara County. For many recipients, these bags represent far more than a holiday treat—they offer connection, dignity, and a reminder that they are not alone.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this effort possible. From the donors whose generosity filled each bag to the incredible team of volunteers—our very own NAMI-SCC elves—who gave their time, care, and energy. This initiative truly could not happen without you. Your kindness turns simple gifts into moments of comfort and meaningful connection.

Together, we continue to spread hope and warmth during the holiday season—one gift bag at a time.

back to top

Staff Holiday Party

Midway through the delicious meal, our Executive Director, Rovina Nimbalkar, thanked everyone in a heartfelt message. After everyone had dessert, Adela Arce (Education Manager) led a few group activities. During the friendly “Ugly Holiday Sweater” competition, Patti (FaithNet Program Coordinator) took first place, while Marcie Lynn (Community Peer Program (CPP) Coordinator) placed second, and Rachel (Youth Programs Administrator) and Diane (Helpline) tied for third place.

Next, staff played a World Scramble game.The game caused many giggles and much teamwork, which created a fun atmosphere. In the end, two clever Community Peer Program members, Val and Jillian, tied as winners and were met with great applause when given their well-earned prizes.

The party was a wonderful celebration of community, hard work, and holiday cheer.

back to top

NAMI-SCC Helpline on Christmas Eve

On December 24, Christmas Eve, Helpline staff joined in the holiday spirit and wore adorable holiday sweaters. Thank you, NAMI-SCC Helpline staff, for your hard work and compassion during the holiday season!

back to top

Membership Form

To join online, go to www.namisantaclara.org/Become a Member

To make payment via check:

Please address the check to “NAMI Santa Clara County“ and send it by mail to:

1150 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 24
San Jose, CA 95128

NAMI-SCC welcomes your membership.

Memberships are valid for one year.

Your membership and donations are tax deductible.

Tax ID #94-2430956

Learn how to include NAMI-SCC in your estate plan by going to “Get Involved/Planned Giving” on our website.

back to top