California has announced mental health support services for thousands of sailors and Marines returning to San Diego aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after a 321-day deployment. The services will be provided through the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics at Veterans Village of San Diego.
The state has allocated $38 million through the California Veterans Health Initiative (CVHI) to expand community-based mental health services for veterans and their families. The program, launched in 2024, supports outpatient clinical care, case management, peer support, and other mental health approaches across California.
As of August 2026, CVHI grantees statewide had delivered more than 30,000 appointments, including 23,083 outpatient clinical appointments, 6,360 case management appointments, and 1,318 peer support appointments, according to the state.
"Whether navigating the transition home or facing challenges long after military service, no one should have to navigate those challenges alone," said CalVet Secretary Lindsey Sin. "Through initiatives like CVHI, we are strengthening community partnerships and expanding access to mental healthcare, so veterans and their families have support when and where they need it."
California's mental health initiative for veterans has earned national recognition. The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs presented the state with its Abraham Lincoln Pillar of Excellence Award for CVHI, recognizing the work to expand mental health care and strengthen community-based support for veterans.