مايو 4, 2026
تحديثات البرنامج
Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes: Member Noticing
Beginning July 1, DHCS will eliminate non‑emergency dental services for Medi‑Cal members aged 19 and older who do not have a satisfactory immigration status eligible for federally-funded full-scope Medi-Cal. Exceptions include members under age 19, members designated by a county as pregnant (including up to one year after the pregnancy ends), and county-designated foster youth or former foster youth under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday. Member notices were delivered by May 1, with a second mailing to be delivered by June 1. The notices explain how to access emergency dental care and include contact information for DHCS support services and county offices. They also include a QR code linking to Frequently Asked Questions and more information.
DHCS will also inform Medi‑Cal members aged 19 and older, who do not have a satisfactory immigration status eligible for federally-funded full-scope Medi-Cal and who do not meet the exceptions above, in Dental Managed Care Plans and the Health Plan of San Mateo that they will move to Medi-Cal Dental Fee‑for‑Service as a result of the elimination of non-emergency dental services for this population. DHCS and the Dental Managed Care Plans will send 60‑ and 30‑day notices to members who turn 19 after July 1, 2026, explaining that they may lose non‑emergency dental services unless they qualify for an exception. More information about these benefit changes is available on the
Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes webpage.
Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference: Registration Now Open
On May 1, DHCS opened
registration for the 20th annual Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Integrated Care Conference, which will take place on August 25-27, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach and Convention Center. This three-day conference is designed for behavioral health researchers, administrators, policy staff, advocates, and professionals in SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Early bird registration is available through July 31. For questions about the SUD Conference, please email
DHCSPrevention@dhcs.ca.gov.
انضم إلى فريقنا
تبحث شركة DHCS عن شخص موهوب ومتحمس للعمل في منصب:
- نائب كبير المستشارين، مكتب الخدمات القانونية (OLS) . يقوم نائب رئيس المستشارين بتخطيط وتنظيم وتوجيه عمل OLS لدعم عمليات OLS والإدارة العامة لبرامج DHCS. يقدم نائب كبير المستشارين المشورة للمدير والموظفين التنفيذيين في الأمور المتعلقة بالسياسة القانونية والتقاضي والسياسة الفيدرالية والعمليات المالية والتشريعات. يجب تقديم الطلبات بحلول 12 مايو.
DHCS is also hiring for its Accounting, Health Care Financing, Office of Legal Services, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.
اجتماعات أصحاب المصلحة القادمة والندوات عبر الإنترنت
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.
ندوة عبر الويب بعنوان «برايت لايف كيدز» و «سولونا إمباكت»
On May 5, from 3 to 4 p.m. PDT, DHCS will hold a webinar, “Early Support, Big Impact on Mental Health: BrightLife Kids and Soluna in Action," hosted by Darrell Steinberg. The webinar will discuss user experiences with BrightLife Kids and Soluna and highlight the 2025 BrightLife Kids and Soluna Impact Report. Since launching in January 2024, these behavioral health platforms have reached more than 500,000 children, young adults, and families across all 58 counties, delivering more than 112,000 coaching sessions. Early data show the platforms are advancing equity, with most users coming from communities with the greatest social and health inequities. For questions, please email CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov.
Medi‑Cal Behavioral Health Recruitment and Retention Program Informational Webinar
On May 5 at 3 p.m. PDT, DHCS and the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) will hold an informational webinar (advance registration required) on the Medi‑Cal Behavioral Health Recruitment and Retention Program, a major Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH‑CONNECT) investment designed to help behavioral health organizations strengthen their workforce. Attendees will learn how to access funding for recruitment bonuses, retention bonuses, supervision, licensure/certification support, and more. The webinar will provide an overview of program structure, eligibility, and next steps for organizations interested in applying. Applications open in June 2026, so now is the time to get prepared. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock critical workforce funding and boost your organization's capacity.
Mobile Dental Van Events
To support access to care, Smile, California is hosting Mobile Dental Van events throughout 2026. The next events will be held in Mariposa County on May 5-6, to be followed by additional stops in Plumas and Lassen counties. These events offer no‑cost preventive services, referrals, and onsite staff to answer questions about Medi-Cal dental coverage and benefit changes. Families can call 1‑888‑585‑3368 to schedule an appointment, pre‑register, and complete consent forms. Additionally, partners and providers can download bilingual outreach materials from the Medi‑Cal Dental Benefit Changes webpage and are encouraged to share the Find‑a‑Dentist tool to help members locate care.
Medi‑Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program Cycle 2 Launch Webinar
On May 7 at 10 a.m. PDT, DHCS and HCAI will host a webinar (advance registration required) for Cycle 2 of the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program (MBHSLRP). This webinar is designed for behavioral health professionals interested in reducing their educational debt while serving Medi‑Cal safety‑net communities. During this live Zoom webinar, attendees will receive a clear overview of MBH‑SLRP's purpose within the BH‑CONNECT Workforce Initiative, eligibility requirements and award details, including loan‑repayment amounts and service‑obligation expectations, guidance on preparing for the next application cycle, and time for participant questions through a moderated Q&A.
توسيع الوصول إلى الرعاية للشباب المنخرطين في العدالة
في 7 مايو، من الساعة 3 إلى 4 مساءً بتوقيت المحيط الهادئ الصيفي، ستستضيف DHCS ندوة عبر الإنترنت تركز على كيفية قيام مبادرة إعادة الدخول المتعلقة بالعدالة ومبادرة الصحة السلوكية للأطفال والشباب في تقليل الحواجز التي تحول دون رعاية الشباب من خلال المشاركة في العدالة. ستقدم DHCS نظرة عامة على هذه المبادرات، والفوائد الجديدة للخدمات التي يقدمها متخصصو دعم الأقران، والعاملين في مجال صحة المجتمع، ومدربي العافية المعتمدين، والموارد المتاحة لتحسين الرعاية والوصول للأفراد الذين يعودون إلى المجتمعات. ستشارك Kindful Restoration، وهي مزود مجتمعي، أيضًا حول العمل الذي يقومون به في الإمبراطورية الداخلية وكيف تفيد هذه الخدمات الشباب المشاركين في نظام العدالة.
اجتماع اللجنة الاستشارية لأصحاب المصلحة/اللجنة الاستشارية للصحة السلوكية/اللجنة الاستشارية للصحة السلوكية
On May 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the hybrid SAC/BH-SAC meeting (advance registration required for online and in-person participation) at 1501 Capitol Avenue (First Floor Conference Room 71.1316), Sacramento. SAC provides DHCS with valuable input and feedback on efforts to provide equitable access to quality health care. BH-SAC provides DHCS with input on behavioral health initiatives and was created as part of the ongoing effort to integrate behavioral health with the greater health care system. This meeting will include updates on DHCS' Comprehensive Quality and Health Equity Strategy, Behavioral Health Transformation, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative's Fee Schedule program and BrightLife Kids and Soluna, and BH-CONNECT policy and implementation. The agenda and other meeting materials will be posted as the meeting date approaches. For more information, please email SACinquiries@dhcs.ca.gov or BehavioralHealthSAC@dhcs.ca.gov.
California Opioid Settlements Annual Expenditures Report (SFY 2023-24) Meeting
On May 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a public meeting (advance registration required) to discuss the California Opioid Settlements Annual Expenditures Report for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023‑24. The report provides an overview of opioid settlement and bankruptcy payments and expenditures at the state, city, and county levels. The meeting will review allowable expenditures, explain how funds were appropriated to state projects, and summarize local spending by cities and counties. DHCS encourages participating cities and counties to participate in this meeting to learn more about California's efforts and the impactful use of settlement funds statewide.
سلسلة ندوات سفير التغطية عبر الإنترنت
On May 27, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a Coverage Ambassador webinar to provide an overview of the Birthing Care Pathway (advance registration required). Spanish translation and live captions will be available. Coverage Ambassadors are trusted messengers who help raise awareness about Medi-Cal benefits, enrollment opportunities, and new initiatives aimed at building a healthier California for all. Visit the Coverage Ambassador website for more information, including how to subscribe to receive regular updates, newsletters, and webinar reminders.
Protect Access to Health Care Act (PAHCA) Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC)
On May 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the PAHCA-SAC meeting (advance registration required for online participation) at 1700 K Street (First Floor Conference Room 17.1014), Sacramento. The committee is responsible for advising DHCS on developing and implementing components of the Protect Access to Health Care Act of 2024 (Proposition 35). Please see the DHCS website for more information, and email your questions to DHCSPAHCA@dhcs.ca.gov.
في حال فاتتك
قانون خدمات الصحة السلوكية ودليل سياسة المقاطعة ومقاييس الأداء والإنصاف الصحي: فترة التعليق العام
On April 20, DHCS opened the public comment period for proposed Behavioral Health Transformation performance and health equity measures for the county behavioral health and managed care plans (MCP). Developed with input from the public and experts, including the Quality and Equity Advisory Committee, these performance and health equity measures will supplement the performance measures finalized in the Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual in April and replace the initial set of broad, population-level indicators. Counties and MCPs can use these measures, which provide detailed data tied to statewide goals like reducing homelessness, institutionalization, and justice involvement, to tailor interventions, monitor outcomes, and ensure accountability, leading to smarter planning, greater transparency, and more equitable results. Please see the proposed performance and health equity measures. To submit comments, email BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov with the subject line, “Feedback on Performance and Health Equity Measures" by May 8 at 4 p.m. PDT.
