Under BH-CONNECT, DHCS is clarifying existing Medi-Cal coverage requirements for evidence-based practices for children, youth and families pursuant to the Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit, including for Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST), Functional Family Therapy (FFT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and High-Fidelity Wraparound (HFW).
Visit BH-CONNECT Resources for policy guidance related to BH-CONNECT EBPs.
Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST)
- MST is a family- and community-based treatment that uses therapy sessions to address emerging high-risk behaviors including criminogenic behavior, anti-social activities, substance use, and other behaviors that may lead to juvenile justice involvement or out-of-home placement.
- Through MST, caregivers learn skills to independently address difficulties in raising children and adolescents as well as skills to cope with other family, peer, and neighborhood problems.
- MST emphasizes cultural responsiveness and the centering of home and community settings, as well as partnership with law enforcement and the juvenile justice system.
Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
- FFT is a multisystemic intervention designed for at-risk youth who experience challenges with externalizing behaviors (e.g., physical aggression, oppositional behavior, substance use) that require the engagement of the youth or family members' support system.
- FFT focuses on reducing adolescent behavioral problems, conduct disorder, substance use and recidivism, and improving parenting behaviors.
- A critical component of FFT is involvement of the family, caregivers, foster family or other key home-based influences.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
- PCT is a specialized behavior management intervention for children and their caregivers.
- Through PCIT, a therapist provides caregivers in-the-moment coaching via a wireless headset while they engage in therapeutic play with their child, helping caregivers apply the most effective strategies with their child.
- PCIT is focused on decreasing child behavior challenges (e.g., aggression, noncompliance, and tantrums), increasing positive parent behaviors (e.g., therapeutic play, effective prompts), and improving the caregiver-child relationship through structured interactions.
High-Fidelity Wraparound (HFW)
- HFW is a team-based and family-centered evidence-based practice that includes an “anything necessary" approach to care for children and youth living with the most intensive mental health or behavioral challenges.
- HFW is regarded as an alternative to out-of-home placement for children with complex needs, by providing intensive services in the family's home and community.
- Beginning July 2026, DHCS will implement HFW both as a statewide bundled service under Medi-Cal and as a county requirement under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA).
