that includes DHCS policy and MCP requirements related to member transitions of Medi-Cal MCPs that took effect on January 1, 2024. This version updates to the continuity of care policy to include enforcement action through the imposition of Corrective Action Plans for failure to meet the primary care provider retention requirement. It also includes updates to the transition policy for assessments and screening tools to align with the
and clarifications on data elements and file transmissions. Please email questions about the policy guide to
.
Program Updates
Health Enrollment Navigators Project Data Summary
DHCS released the
Health Enrollment Navigators Project impacts summary that provides data from January 2020 through September 2022 summarizing the following activities: outreach, application assistance, assistance with accessing and using health care services (navigation), troubleshooting, and redetermination assistance. Enrollment and retention are stratified by age groups, immigration status, race/ethnicity, sex, and written and spoken languages. Please see the
Navigators Project Partner webpage for more information. Please email your questions to
HealthNavigators@dhcs.ca.gov.
Indian Health Program (IHP) Grant Program Awards
On March 15, DHCS anticipates releasing grant awards to 27 successful applicants from cycle one and cycle two of the IHP Request for Application (RFA), which provides funding to support primary care recruitment and retention in IHPs. Also on March 15, DHCS will release cycle three of the RFA for the IHP grant program. DHCS has set aside $2.4 million of the available $22.6 million for a third release of the IHP RFA for new applicants. Cycle three applicants will be able to request a minimum of $150,000 to support primary care recruitment and retention efforts for fiscal Year 2024-2025. Any remaining funds after the completion of the cycle three RFA process will be reallocated.
The IHP grant program focuses on improving the health of American Indians by addressing primary care recruitment and retention in Indian health clinics. Grant funds can be used to recruit, train, and retain primary care providers. Grantees may also use funds to provide prevention-oriented health care services that are responsive to the needs of American Indian patients as well as support access to traditional Indian health. These funds were included in the fiscal year 2022-23 budget, which restored the IHP grant program. Please email your questions to
TribalAffairs@dhcs.ca.gov.
Join Our Team
DHCS posted the following job openings:
DHCS is also hiring for communications, human resources, auditing, health policy, information technology, and other teams. For more information, please visit the
CalCareers website.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
Tribal and IHP Representatives Meeting
On March 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., DHCS will host a virtual tribal and IHP representatives meeting to provide updates on DHCS programs and initiatives. DHCS hosts this meeting quarterly to facilitate early engagement and discussion with tribal partners on the development of DHCS policies that may affect health care for American Indians in California. The meetings allow tribal and IHP representatives a forum to provide feedback on DHCS initiatives that specifically impact tribes, IHPs, and American Indian Medi-Cal members. The invitation and agenda are posted on the
IHP webpage. Other meeting materials will be posted as they become available.
CalAIM Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Technical Assistance (TA) Marketplace Virtual Vendor Fair
On March 12, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., DHCS will host a virtual California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) PATH TA Marketplace Vendor Fair that will feature presentations from vendors providing services in Domain 4 of the PATH TA Marketplace: "Strengthening Care for Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Populations of Focus."
TA Vendor Fairs are an opportunity for vendors to pitch their organization and services to potential TA Recipients and encourage use of the
TA Marketplace. TA Recipients and organizations interested in learning more about the TA Marketplace, including how to apply to receive free services, are invited to attend. Visit the TA Marketplace to register and learn more about future Vendor Fairs.
Additional upcoming TA Vendor Fairs include the
Building Data Capacity Vendor Fair on March 28, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., and the
Community Supports and Workforce Vendor Fair on April 9, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program (HACCP) Webinar
On March 13, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., DHCS will host a
HACCP webinar (advance registration required) to share guidance with families and community partners about applying for hearing aid coverage and maximizing HACCP benefits once enrolled. DHCS welcomes interested families, families currently participating in HACCP, and community partners to join this webinar for program updates, tips, and a question-and-answer session. For more information, please visit the
HACCP webpage.
CalAIM Behavioral Health Workgroup
On March 15 at 10 a.m., DHCS will hold a virtual
CalAIM Behavioral Health Workgroup to provide updates on the Recovery Incentives Program and the California Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT). Workgroup members can provide feedback on implementation and operational considerations. The meeting is open to members of the public, who may comment at the end of the meeting. Please email your questions to
BHCalAIM@dhcs.ca.gov.
CalAIM Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD) Carve-In
On March 22, DHCS will host an
office hours session as part of its educational webinar series on the CalAIM ICF/DD Carve-In. The office hours provide a dedicated forum for DHCS and the Department of Developmental Services to engage with ICF/DD Homes, Regional Centers, and Medi-Cal managed care plan representatives to address questions related to ICF/DD Carve-In policy requirements and implementation of the transition to managed care that took effect on January 1, 2024.
Office hours participants are encouraged to submit questions to
LTCtransition@dhcs.ca.gov in advance when registering. Additional details about upcoming webinars are available on the
CalAIM ICF/DD Long-Term Care Carve-In webpage.
In Case You Missed It
California Invests $67 Million to Expand Mental Health Early Intervention Programs
On March 8, DHCS issued a
news release announcing the
awarding of $67 million to 99 organizations, across 30 counties, to expand early intervention programs and practices that provide mental health and wellness services to children, youth, and young adults in California. Early behavioral health intervention is essential to slow symptoms and the progression of mental illnesses that can lead to social isolation, poor functioning, and premature death. By expanding successful Evidence-Based Practices and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (EBP/CDEP) models throughout the state, California will improve access to critical programs to meet the early intervention needs of children and youth, including mental and behavioral health needs, housing, education and employment support, and linkages to other services.
Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids Video Series
On March 6, DHCS issued a news release (
English and
Spanish) to announce the
Positive Parents, Thriving Kids video series that will give parents and caregivers additional resources to face potential parenting challenges they may encounter, particularly as it relates to the mental health of the children in their lives. Both Positive Parents, Thriving Kids and the previously released
Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids series are part of the First Partner's
California For All Kids initiative, and aim to address the youth mental health crisis through tangible, evidence-based resources and support.
