March 16, 2026
Top News
Critical Funding Expands Behavioral Health Services
On March 11, DHCS announced $1.18 billion in competitive grant funding through the
Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 2: Unmet Needs awards. Just two years after Proposition 1 passed, this final round of bond funding supports 66 projects that will build or expand 130 behavioral health facilities across California, adding 2,554 residential and inpatient treatment beds and 4,273 outpatient treatment slots for mental health and substance use disorder services in the communities with the greatest unmet needs.
Supported by voters through Proposition 1, these investments mark a major step toward building a more responsive, community-based behavioral health system. With the completion of Rounds 1 and 2, Bond BHCIP has surpassed statewide capacity goals, delivering 6,919 residential treatment beds (102% of target) and 27,561 outpatient slots (103% of target). Since starting in 2021, BHCIP has awarded a total of $5.8 billion to expand behavioral health infrastructure. This has resulted in a grant total of 437 projects to expand 546 behavioral health facilities, which will create 9,553 new beds and 47,163 new outpatient slots projected to serve more than 5.4 million individuals annually in an outpatient setting. Together, these efforts strengthen the state's long-term community based behavioral health infrastructure and help ensure Californians can access timely, appropriate treatment close to home. For more information, visit the DHCS
BHCIP website.
Program Updates
Unshame CA Reaches 5 Million Californians
DHCS partnered with national nonprofit
Shatterproof to issue a joint press release about the impact of the
Unshame CA campaign. Since launching in May 2023, the campaign has used personal storytelling, community partnerships, and culturally responsive messaging in both English and Spanish to shift perceptions and promote compassionate, informed responses to addiction. A new year-three evaluation shows that 18 percent of California adults — more than 5 million people — say they are familiar with Unshame CA. This latest data demonstrates ongoing improvements in how Californians view substance use disorders and connect with treatment and harm-reduction resources.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring for its Contracts, Population Health Management, Clinical Assurance, 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 meeting materials in alternate formatting. To request services, please email DHCS at the appropriate contact email address at least ten working days before the meeting.
Behavioral Health Transformation Quality and Equity Advisory Committee Webinar
On March 18, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will hold the 10th
Behavioral Health Transformation Quality and Equity Advisory Committee (QEAC) meeting (advance registration required). During this public webinar, committee members will collaborate and provide feedback on DHCS' ongoing efforts to measure and evaluate the quality and efficacy of behavioral health services and programs in California. Public participation is encouraged. Attendees can provide direct input to DHCS using the Q&A feature. For more information about QEAC webinars and additional resources, visit the
Behavioral Health Transformation Stakeholder Engagement webpage. Questions? Email
BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule Program Working Group
On March 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. PDT, DHCS will convene the first session of a new biannual working group with stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the CYBHI Multi-Payer School Linked
Fee Schedule Program (
register for the Microsoft Teams webinar) or attend in person at 1700 K Street, Sacramento.
Statute requires this working group to meet at least twice per year to discuss implementation progress and offer a forum for stakeholders to share feedback and identify opportunities for continued improvement. The working group will gather input from a broad range of stakeholders, including Medi-Cal managed care plans, county behavioral health plans, health care service plans, insurers, behavioral health providers, county behavioral health departments, local educational agencies, public institutions of higher education, labor representatives for school employees, and members of the broader educational community. Please send your questions to
DHCS.SBS@dhcs.ca.gov.
Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council Meeting
On March 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the quarterly Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council meeting via
public webinar. The Voices and Vision Council is a unique space where Medi-Cal members, Medi-Cal health plans, providers, community-based organizations, and state/county partners come together to provide direct input to the DHCS leadership team. For more information, please visit the
Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council webpage or email
VoicesandVisionCouncil@dhcs.ca.gov.
Coverage Ambassador Webinar Series
On March 26, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a
Coverage Ambassador webinar to give an overview of
Smile, California, DHCS' Medi-Cal Dental education and outreach campaign designed to help more than 14 million members access and utilize their dental benefits, including free check-ups and treatments. The webinar (advance registration required) will also cover Medi-Cal dental materials and available resources. 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.
Comprehensive Intrauterine Device (IUD) and Contraceptive Implant Insertion Training
On April 9 and 10, from 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host an in-person Comprehensive IUD and Contraceptive Implant Placement Training, which includes updates for current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. This semi-annual hands-on provider training conducted since 2018 is designed for both new and experienced providers who want to build or refine their skills in IUD placement and removal. The agenda covers Medi-Cal member counseling and consent, method selection, instrument use, and step-by-step instruction for all FDA-approved IUDs. The training includes hands-on practice with pelvic models and computer simulators, as well as proctoring by family planning experts. Advanced topics include management of side effects, tips for managing difficult placements, pain management principles for office procedures, and prevention and management of complications. To register, please see the
IUD & Implant Training page. For more resources, visit
IUD & Implant Resources.
In Case You Missed It
Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual Module 5: Public Comment Now Open
DHCS opened the public comment period for draft Module 5 of the
Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) County Policy Manual. The BHSA is California's updated framework for behavioral health care, designed to expand access to treatment and housing, strengthen the workforce, and improve accountability. Module 5 provides counties with clear guidance on preparing, submitting, and certifying Annual and Intermittent Updates to their Integrated Plans. Annual Updates are scheduled reviews to maintain compliance with new laws, while Intermittent Updates allow counties to make urgent changes in response to emerging needs. DHCS will accept comments through March 27 via the digital platform to help shape statewide behavioral health policy. We invite you to watch the
instructional training video, review draft
Module 5 content,
submit feedback, and contact
BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov if you have any questions.
California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Vacancies
The California Public Utilities Commission is recruiting members to serve on the California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee, which helps guide discounted broadband services for schools, libraries, clinics, hospitals, and community organizations. Members advise on program development and administration to ensure resources remain equitable, effective, and focused on closing California's digital divide. Current vacancies span multiple sectors, including community‑based organizations, public hospitals, rural clinics, education, and more. Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Jarrid Keller (JKeller@saclibrary.org) and Geoff Belleau (gbelleau@cde.ca.gov) for nomination. Please email any question to CTFHelp@cpuc.ca.gov.
