BH-CONNECT seeks to transform California’s behavioral health delivery system by expanding access to highly effective community-based services, strengthening the behavioral health workforce, and ensuring Medi-Cal members receive high quality care.
In December 2024, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved key components of BH-CONNECT through a new Section 1115 demonstration and a series of new State Plan Amendments (SPAs). Other components of BH-CONNECT leverage existing federal Medicaid authorities and state-level guidance.
Visit BH-CONNECT Resources for federal approvals and BH-CONNECT policy guidance.
Goals of BH-CONNECT
BH-CONNECT is part of California’s historic, multi-pronged effort to transform and improve behavioral health services for California residents living with significant behavioral health needs.
BH-CONNECT aims to:
- Expand the continuum of community-based services EBPs available through Medi-Cal for children, youth and adults living with behavioral health conditions.
- Strengthen family-based services and supports for children and youth living with significant behavioral health needs, including children and youth involved in child welfare.
- Incentivize BHPs to improve access, health outcomes, and invest in delivery system reforms to better support Medi-Cal members living with significant behavioral health needs.
- Strengthen the workforce needed to deliver community-based behavioral health services and EBPs to members living with behavioral health needs.
- Access federal funds for short-term stays in facility-based care, but only for BHPs that commit to providing robust community-based services and meeting quality of care standards for such stays.
- Promote transitions out of facility-based care and support successful transitions to community-based care settings and community reintegration.
- Promote improved health outcomes, community integration, treatment and recovery for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and experiencing critical transitions.
- Improve stability for members going through vulnerable periods (including but not limited to those living with significant behavioral health issues) through transitional rent services, reducing their risk of returning to institutional care or experiencing homelessness.
