August 31, 2026

Top News 

New Opioid Helpline Assists with Addiction Treatment 

DHCS and CA Bridge launched CA Bridge Connect, a statewide call- and text-based helpline that provides immediate, same-day access to medications for addiction treatment (MAT), the standard of care for opioid use disorder. The service links individuals and families to trained Behavioral Health Navigators who offer confidential support and real-time referrals to emergency departments, clinics, community providers, and telehealth services. Californians can call 1-800-944-1807 or text 1-833-308-0461, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A Behavioral Health Navigator listens without judgment, explains treatment options, and discusses safety and overdose prevention. Navigators then connect callers to a behavioral health provider who can evaluate them and, when appropriate, prescribe MAT. 

Latest Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports Quarterly Data Released 

DHCS released the latest Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports quarterly report, covering October to December 2025 (Q4 2025) and highlighting statewide trends since January 2022. The report shows strong, continued growth: nearly 247,220 members received ECM in Q4 2025—a 65 percent increase from Q4 2024—with notable gains among children and youth and people experiencing homelessness. Community Supports utilization is also rising, with more than 186,000 members accessing at least one service during the quarter. The new data offer a clear picture of how CalAIM’s person-centered reforms are maturing, with plans refining delivery approaches and members gaining more consistent access to whole-person care. These services continue to demonstrate cost-effectiveness by helping members remain stable and avoid higher-cost care. See this fact sheet for more information. 

Program Updates 

Draft Data Sharing Authorization Guidance (DSAG) Children and Youth Toolkit for Public Comment 

The draft DSAG Children and Youth Toolkit is available for stakeholder review and feedback. Building on previous DSAG resources, including DHCS’ DSAG, DSAG Medi-Cal Housing Support Services Toolkit, and DSAG Reentry Initiative Toolkit, and the California Health and Human Services Agency’s State Health Information Guidance, the draft toolkit provides operational guidance to care partners supporting children and youth through real-world scenarios and data-sharing workflows. The toolkit is intended to help organizations navigate when consent may be required to share information and understand the state and federal laws that apply when coordinating care across behavioral health, physical health, social services, housing, and other sectors. DHCS is accepting written comments through September 9, 2026. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft toolkit and submit feedback by commenting directly in the document and emailing responses to DHCSDataSharing@dhcs.ca.gov. 

Social Media Identity Theft Alert 

DHCS learned that scammers are targeting Medi-Cal and CalFresh members through social media ads, especially on Facebook Marketplace, offering “free government smartphones.” Victims are asked for personal information, including photos of their cards and full Social Security Numbers. Afterward, they may experience unauthorized PIN changes and fraudulent transactions. Please pass along key reminders for Medi-Cal members: 

• Medi-Cal will never contact members via social media to request personal information. 

• Only respond to official county or state communications. 

• Refer to DHCS toolkits for safe outreach practices. 

• Stay alert to scams, and educate members about legitimate contact methods. 

• Report suspected scams to PIU.Cases@dhcs.ca.gov. 

• See more Helpful Hints and Resources. 

Join Our Team 

DHCS is hiring for its Accounting, Contracts, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.   

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars  

DHCS posts upcoming public meetings on its Calendar of Events. DHCS provides free assistive services, including language interpretation, real-time captioning, and meeting materials in alternate formatting. To request services, please email the Office of Civil Rights at civilrights@dhcs.ca.gov at least ten working days before the meeting. 

Medi-Cal Dental Back-Tooth-School Webinar 

On September 2, from 10 to 11 a.m. PDT, Smile, California will host an online webinar to provide partners and stakeholders with an overview of the 2026 Healthy Smiles Make the Grade Back-Tooth-School promotion. The webinar will include information about outreach resources and tools to help encourage preventive dental visits and school readiness for children and teenagers. Please register for the webinar. 

Medi-Cal Children’s Health Advisory Panel (MCHAP) Meeting   

On Thursday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the quarterly MCHAP meeting at 1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814, in the first-floor conference room (71.1316) or via public webinar. MCHAP advises DHCS on policy and operational issues that affect children in Medi-Cal. For more information, please see the MCHAP webpage or email MCHAP@dhcs.ca.gov. 

Stakeholder Advisory Committee Ad Hoc Meeting 

On September 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host an ad hoc hybrid Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC)/Behavioral Health (BH-SAC) meeting (advanced registration required for online and in-person participation) at 1501 Capitol Avenue (First Floor Conference Room 71.1316), Sacramento, CA 95814. The meeting will focus on the transition of Medi-Cal members with unsatisfactory immigration status to Medi-Cal fee-for-service. The agenda and meeting materials will be posted as the meeting date approaches. For more information, please email SACinquiries@dhcs.ca.gov or BehavioralHealthSAC@dhcs.ca.gov. 

In Case You Missed It 

Seeking New Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee Members 

DHCS is actively recruiting new members for the Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee (MMAC), a safe space for Medi-Cal members, as well as their family members and caregivers, to share lived experiences in the Medi-Cal program and offer valuable feedback directly to the DHCS leadership team. MMAC functions alongside other DHCS advisory groups, such as the Medi-Cal Voices & Vision Council. Learn more, refer potential applicants, or apply at DHCS MMAC. If you have any question, please email MMAC@dhcs.ca.gov. 

Request for Applications for Elevate Youth California Cohort 8 Standard Track   

DHCS released a Request for Applications for approximately $44 million to implement the Elevate Youth California (EYC) program in low-income, under-resourced communities of color. 

Youth serving community-based and Tribal organizations can apply for up to $1,000,000 over a three-year grant period. EYC is a statewide program addressing substance use disorder by investing in youth leadership and civic engagement for youth of color and 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12 to 26 living in communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. For more information and to apply by the September 21, 2026, deadline, please visit the EYC website.

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