, reflecting content from Module 3, which was reviewed during the public comment period held between April 7 and April 25, 2025. The updates provide clear guidance and timelines for counties as they prepare to submit their draft Integrated Plans (due March 31, 2026) and final Integrated Plan (due June 30, 2026). The updated guidance covers the submission and approval processes for the draft and final Integrated Plans, the budget and Integrated Plan templates, and guidance around Phase 1 Performance Measures. DHCS is developing measures associated with the statewide behavioral health goals in phases. Phase 1 Performance Measures use publicly available population-level behavioral health measures, which are defined as measures of community health and well-being associated with statewide behavioral health goals. Each county's Integrated Plan must align with these statewide behavioral health goals and measures.
These updates will assist counties, behavioral health providers, Tribal partners, and other behavioral health partners in increasing accountability and improving transparency and efficiency in California's behavioral health system. For specific questions about the policy manual or any technical requests, please email
BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.
New CARE Act Report Shows Promising Results; Videos Highlight Early Impact
On June 27, DHCS released the new
Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act report, detailing the program's early progress in connecting Californians with serious mental illness to treatment, housing, and hope. CARE is a new civil court process designed for people with untreated or undertreated schizophrenia who are at the highest risk of hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration. The model is voluntary, trust-based, and person-centered, offering an alternative to conservatorship or incarceration by surrounding participants with a team focused on stability, dignity, and long-term recovery.
The report is accompanied by an
Implementation Update and new
videos from the California Health and Human Services Agency. The videos share how CARE is making a difference by providing wraparound services, focusing on the dignity and personal goals of the people served. Statewide data through May 2025 shows that since the CARE Act launched, more than 3,300 individuals have been engaged statewide through petitions or outreach-based diversions. From December 1, 2024, (when all 58 counties went live with CARE) to May 31, 2025, 1,063 petitions were filed, more total petitions than had been filed in the previous 14 months.
Program Updates
Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayments
On July 1, the California Department of Health Care Access and Information will open the application period for the
Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program, which offers financial relief to behavioral health professionals who commit to serving Medi-Cal patients in underserved areas. The program is part of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (
BH-CONNECT) initiative's workforce development funding opportunities. A
webinar will be held on July 9, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. PDT, to provide information on eligibility and the application process. A recording of the webinar will be available online within ten days after the webinar date. The application cycle opens July 1 and closes on August 15, 2025.
DHCS Launches New E-Filing Portal
DHCS' Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals launched a new
E-Filing Portal to make submitting appeals and related documents easier, faster, and more secure. This new portal allows users to upload multiple documents at once, track submissions, and reduce paper and mail reliance. It's a valuable tool for streamlining the process. A
User Guide and FAQ are available to help with registration and filing.
Sacramento and Los Angeles Dental Managed Care Transition
DHCS awarded contracts to three Dental Managed Care (DMC) plans in Sacramento and Los Angeles counties, effective July 1, 2025: Liberty Dental Plan, Health Net of California, and California Dental Network. Members in Sacramento County who are currently enrolled in Access Dental Plan or dental fee-for-service (FFS) must select a new DMC plan, while members in Los Angeles County who do not choose a DMC plan will remain in FFS. Members currently enrolled with Health Net or Liberty will not be affected by these changes. Additionally, changing DMC plans will not affect Medi-Cal coverage or benefits. DHCS developed the
Dental Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Transition webpage for members to view notices and other additional information about the DMC transition. Medi-Cal Dental also published a
Provider Bulletin.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring for its accounting, data analytics,
communications, community services, and other teams. For more information, please visit the
CalCareers website.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
DHCS posts upcoming public meetings on the
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.
Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory Panel (MCHAP) Meeting
On July 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the quarterly MCHAP meeting at 1700 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95811, in the first-floor conference room (17.1014) or via
public webinar (advanced registration required). MCHAP advises DHCS on policy and operational issues that affect children in Medi-Cal. The meeting will provide information about improving children's preventive care outcomes, updates on the California Children's Services Quality Metric Redesign, and details about Medi-Cal vision services.
Protect Access to Health Care Act Stakeholder Advisory Committee (PAHCA-SAC) Meeting
On July 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT (the time is tentative), DHCS will host the PAHCA-SAC meeting (
advance registration for online participation required) 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 PAHCA of 2024 (Proposition 35).
SAC/Behavioral Health (BH)-SAC Meeting
On July 23, 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 1700 K Street (first-floor conference room 17.1014), 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. 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.
In Case You Missed It
Now Open: PATH Justice-Involved Round 4 Application
On May 12, DHCS opened the Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Justice-Involved Round 4 application window. The deadline to apply for Round 4 funding is July 11, 2025. Only PATH Justice-Involved Round 3 awardees are eligible for the Justice-Involved Round 4 funding opportunity, and applications must be submitted on behalf of county sheriff's offices, county probation offices, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and county behavioral health agencies. Eligible agencies will receive email communications with instructions on how to apply. For more information about PATH Justice-Involved Round 4, please visit the PATH Justice-Involved webpage. All resources are available under “Reference Materials." Please submit questions to justice-involved@ca-path.com.
