Santa Clara County’s TRUST Program Faces Funding Cuts Despite 90% Stabilization Rate

*TL;DR: The TRUST program stabilized more than 90% of nearly 1,500 crisis calls in the first quarter, but state policy changes put its funding at risk.

Context Santa Clara County’s Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST) operates as the county’s largest non‑police crisis response. The program answers calls for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, offering de‑escalation and connection to services without law‑enforcement involvement.

Key Facts - From January through March, TRUST logged almost 1,500 calls. - More than 90% of those interactions ended with the caller stabilized, meaning the immediate risk of harm was reduced and a pathway to follow‑up care was established. - Despite these outcomes, the program faces a potential funding shortfall. Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to make mobile crisis services an optional Medi‑Cal benefit would lower the reimbursement rates that TRUST and similar programs can claim.

What It Means The high stabilization rate suggests a strong correlation between rapid, specialized crisis response and reduced acute harm, though it does not prove causation without a controlled study. The program’s effectiveness aligns with research from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showing that mobile crisis teams lower emergency department visits and police encounters. If funding is reduced, the county may need to cut staff or limit service hours, which could reverse the gains seen in the first quarter.

County officials have pledged to explore alternative financing, but no concrete plan is in place. Residents and advocacy groups are urging the state to retain full reimbursement to preserve the model that has already demonstrated measurable public‑health benefits.

Practical Takeaway If you or someone you know faces a mental health crisis, dialing the TRUST line remains a viable, non‑police option for immediate help. However, the program’s future depends on policy decisions that could affect its availability.

What to watch next Monitor the state legislature’s action on the Medi‑Cal amendment and any county budget revisions that could secure or jeopardize TRUST funding.