1115 Waiver Behavioral Health Services Needs Assessment Archive

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is pleased to release the Final 1115 Waiver Behavioral Health Services Needs Assessment (Needs Assessment).  We have separated the Needs Assessment into two documents: 1) Needs Assessment, and 2) Data Appendices, to make it easier for the reader to follow along with the data tables while reading the narrative.  The Needs Assessment has identified a number of needs and gaps in the California mental health and substance use services system, as well as many strengths and building blocks for improvements.  

DHCS looks forward to developing the Service System Plan that is required to be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by October 1, 2012, pursuant to the Special Terms and Conditions (STCs) of the 1115 “Bridge to Reform” Waiver.  Pursuant to the STCs, the focus of the Needs Assessment and Service System Plan is primarily on the Medi-Cal program, with emphasis on mental health and substance use services for the expansion population.  A preliminary work plan for this process is already posted on our website.  A more detailed work plan for this planning process will be developed once we have established the plan priorities and parameters.  The detailed work plan will include processes and time frames for additional stakeholder involvement and input as the planning process proceeds.

We would like to thank the California Endowment and the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration for the funding of the Needs Assessment.  We would also like to thank the numerous consumers, family members, providers, advocates, and associations for their time and input into this process.  Our vendor, Technical Assistance Collaborative, Inc. and Human Services Research Institute, could not have learned what they did in so short a time without the assistance and input of all these individuals.

• Final Needs Assessment
• Data Appendices
• California Prevalence Estimates
• Summary Document of Major Themes from Stakeholder Review and Comment

DRAFT Behavorial Health Services Needs Assessment

The Department of Health Care Services is pleased to release the DRAFT 1115 Waiver Behavioral Health Services Needs Assessment (Needs Assessment) for public review and comment, 1/31 – 2/13.  We have separated the Needs Assessment into two documents to make it easier for the reader to follow along with the tables while reading the narrative. 

We would ask that, to the extent practical, county government representatives provide their feedback on the Needs Assessment to their respective county associations ahead of the meeting scheduled specifically for this purpose during the CiMH conference on February 9.  During this session, scheduled as part of the larger CiMH conference, both substance use associations and mental health associations will each lead a panel discussion to present prioritized feedback from county officials to the report.  In addition, we have scheduled a session with consumer and family association representatives to gather prioritized feedback from consumer and family groups.  We will release a “major themes” document on our website highlighting feedback from the public comment process that we plan to incorporate into the final report.

We would like to thank the California Endowment and the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration for the funding of the Needs Assessment.  We would also like to thank the numerous consumers, family members, providers, advocates, and associations for their time and input into this process.  Our vendor, Technical Assistance Collaborative, Inc. and Human Services Research Institute, could not have learned what they did in so short a time without the assistance and input of all these individuals.

 Draft 1115 Waiver Behavioral Health Services Needs Assessment:

• DRAFT Needs Assessment 
• Data Appendices
• California Prevalence Estimates

Behavioral Health Services Needs Assessment Work Plan:

The Department of Health Care Services appreciates all comments that were submitted in response to our Work Plan.  We have completed our joint review of the public comment with our vendor, Technical Assistance Collaborative, Inc.  Each response contained very helpful information that will assist with key activities.  We are posting the finalized work plan for your review.  Resources: