January 12, 2026
Top News
Governor's Budget
The Governor's proposed 2026–27 budget for DHCS totals $229.1 billion ($49.5 billion General Fund) and 4,745.5 positions. The budget builds upon the Administration's commitment to maintain access to care while implementing federally required changes and continuing investments to transform Medi-Cal and improve the behavioral health delivery system. These proposals support a person-centered health care system for more than 14 million Californians. Please see the
Budget Information page for 2026-27 Budget Act documents, including the DHCS budget highlights.
Joint Statement from California Health and Human Services Leaders on Vaccine Access and Availability
California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson, Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan, DHCS Director Michelle Baass, and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Director Mary Watanabe released a
joint statement on vaccine access and availability. California and American Academy of Pediatrics-recommended vaccines will continue to be covered by health plans and insurers regulated by the State of California. Vaccines can be received at no cost from your doctor, some local pharmacies, or other authorized providers. To schedule your vaccine appointment, contact your health care provider or visit
myturn.ca.gov. California is committed to reviewing available vaccine science and following credible, independent medical guidance to ensure that every resident has access to safe, effective immunizations that save lives—and keep Californians healthy and strong.
Program Updates
New Community Supports Pricing Resource Addendum
On December 30, DHCS released the
Community Supports Pricing Resource, an addendum to the 2021 Community Supports Non-Binding Pricing Resource (formerly known as the Non-Binding In Lieu of Services Pricing Guidance). The addendum provides updated pricing benchmarks for Community Supports that have undergone substantial refinements to service definitions or billing guidance since launch, including Assisted Living Facility Transitions, Community or Home Transition Services, and Medically Tailored Meals/Medically Supportive Food. This release represents a key interim milestone in DHCS' ongoing effort to fully update all pricing benchmarks. For reference, supplemental pricing information from other programs is included in the addendum. While this information may support managed care plan (MCP) and provider negotiations, it was not used to determine the benchmark pricing. This resource remains non-binding; MCPs and providers retain full discretion to negotiate prices and payment methodologies that reflect local costs, staffing models, service intensity, population risk mix, quality of care, and other considerations.
Draft Evidence-Based Practices Resource Guide: Public Comment Period Closes January 16
On December 8, DHCS released the
Draft Evidence-Based Practices and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (EBP/CDEP) Resource Guide for public comment, which will remain open through January 16. This guide serves as a centralized resource to help current and prospective EBP/CDEP providers, including community-based organizations, schools, and counties, navigate new state tools and Medi-Cal billing pathways as they provide behavioral health services tailored to the values, beliefs, and needs of the diverse communities they serve. It is especially relevant for those funded through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (
CYBHI), Family First Prevention Services Act (
FFPSA), and Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (
BH-CONNECT) initiative, a key component of California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). The guide includes an overview of 43 EBPs, reimbursement considerations for CDEPs, and strategies for leveraging existing Medi-Cal authorities to fund and sustain services. Stakeholders may
submit written comments here or by emailing
CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov with the subject line “Public Comment: EBP/CDEP Resource Guide." Please include in the email the section to which you are proposing edits, the recommended edit, and the reason for the change.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring for its Licensing and Certification, Legal Services, Program Operations, 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 alternate formatting of meeting materials. To request services, please email DHCS at the appropriate contact email address at least ten working days before the meeting.
New Online Training to Support SUD Counselors
On January 12, DHCS, in partnership with the University of California San Diego Division of Extended Studies, launched the Advancing SUD Counselor Education and Development (ASCEND) Program. ASCEND is a free, self-paced, 80-hour online training for substance use disorder (SUD) counselors featuring instruction from experienced professionals. The program was developed with the University of California San Diego Division of Extended Studies and the Assembly Bill 2473 Stakeholder Advisory Group as part of DHCS' ongoing efforts to strengthen the SUD workforce. The curriculum covers 12 core competencies required for counselor certification. For more information and to view a video about ASCEND, visit the
DHCS YouTube channel. Registration is available on the University of California San Diego Division of Extended Studies
website.
Protect Access to Health Care Act (PAHCA) Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC)
On January 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST, 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 PAHCA (Proposition 35).
MCP-Hub Partnerships: Toolkit for Plans and CalAIM Providers
On January 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. PST, DHCS will host a public
informational webinar to review the
MCP-Hub Partnerships Toolkit for Plans and CalAIM Providers (advance registration required). This webinar will review the toolkit published by DHCS, in partnership with the California Health Care Foundation and Aurrera Health Group, highlighting existing subcontracting requirements relevant to Hubs, considerations for MCPs and Hubs to operationalize voluntary contracting partnerships, and requirements for MCP oversight and monitoring of contracted Hubs. Webinar attendees may submit questions in advance to
MCQMD@dhcs.ca.gov with the subject line “MCP-Hubs Toolkit."
California Children's Services (CCS) Advisory Group Meeting
On January 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. PST, DHCS will hold the quarterly
California Children's Services Advisory Group meeting. DHCS and the CCS Advisory Group partner to ensure children in the CCS/Whole Child Model program receive appropriate and timely access to quality care. Agenda topics include 2025 CCS accomplishments, 2026 CCS priorities, managed care plan monitoring and oversight, postmortem noticing, and Medi-Cal Rx pediatric integration. Additional information and meeting details are available on the
CCS Advisory Group webpage. Please email
CCSProgram@dhcs.ca.gov if you have any questions.
Coverage Ambassadors Webinar
On January 29, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST, DHCS will host a
Coverage Ambassador webinar (advance registration required). 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. Please visit the
Coverage Ambassador website for more information and to
subscribe to receive regular updates, newsletters, and webinar reminders.
In Case You Missed It
California Continues Statewide Recovery and Behavioral Health Support
One year after the devastating Los Angeles firestorms, California remains committed to helping communities rebuild and heal. Governor Newsom announced ongoing efforts to restore housing, infrastructure, and behavioral health services for impacted residents. These initiatives include expanded access to crisis counseling, mobile mental health units, and partnerships with local providers to ensure timely care. “Our goal is to ensure that every survivor has access to the care they need," said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “From crisis counseling to new Resiliency Centers, we are building a system that promotes long-term emotional recovery and community strength."
