​Behavior​​al Health Services Act

​Policy Manual Module 5 P​ublic Comment Period Open March 6-27, 2026 ​

On March 6, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) opened the public comment period for the draft Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) County Policy Manual Module 5. We welcome your feedback through March 27 to help shape statewide behavioral health policy. 

The BHSA is California’s updated framework for behavioral health care, designed to expand access to treatment and housing by building infrastructure, increasing the behavioral health workforce, and improving accountability at every level. The County Policy Manual includes phased guidance to support counties in implementing their Integrated Plans.  

Module 5 provides guidance for counties on preparing, submitting, and certifying both Annual and Intermittent Updates to their Integrated Plans. Annual Updates follow a structured process with timelines, approval protocols, community planning requirements, and updated budget documentation standards. Intermittent Updates allow counties to make urgent changes to planned activities or expenditures, ensuring ​flexibility and transparency. The module also introduces revised templates for Annual and Intermittent Updates and an updated budget template, reflecting the latest stakeholder input. 

This guidance promotes continuous improvement by enabling counties to respond to evolving needs, such as workforce training or housing changes, while maintaining compliance and strengthening transparency through consistent stakeholder engagement. 

We encourage you to review Module 5 and submit your feedback. Your input is vital to building a stronger, more responsive behavioral health system for all Californians.