August 4, 2025
Top News
Postpartum Pathway Concept Paper Charts Improvements to Maternal Health
On July 31,
Enhancing Postpartum Care for California's Birthing Population through “The Postpartum Pathway": A Concept Paper was released in response to California's maternal health crisis, recognizing that most maternal morbidity and mortality occurs during the postpartum period. DHCS, in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, Office of the California Surgeon General, Purchaser Business Group on Health, and California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, came together in 2022-2024 to design a more coordinated, patient-centered approach to postpartum care. The concept paper captures this collaborative effort, presenting a proposed, measurable clinical model that supports whole-person care by addressing both medical and social drivers of health. While aspirational, the Postpartum Pathway is intended to be tested by health plans, providers, and community organizations to assess feasibility, refine the model, and support long-term improvements in postpartum care across the state.
This work aligns with DHCS' broader
Birthing Care Pathway, which outlines a comprehensive policy and care model for Medi-Cal members from conception through 12 months postpartum. As part of this effort, DHCS convened a diverse Postpartum Sub-Workgroup to help shape the clinical foundation of the Postpartum Pathway.
Program Updates
Updated Guidance for Medi-Cal and Family PACT Providers on H.R. 1 Implementation
Due to the impacts of the latest court orders on the implementation of H.R. 1, Section 71113, Federal Payments to Prohibited Entities, DHCS issued an updated
All Plan Letter (APL) 25-011. This letter provides guidance to Medi-Cal managed care plans on the handling of payments to Medi-Cal and Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment Program (Family PACT) providers who may be impacted by H.R. 1. The APL also provides guidance regarding the impact of court orders on the implementation of Section 71113.
DHCS recognizes that this situation is rapidly evolving and will implement the necessary policy and system updates to comply with H.R. 1 and any applicable court orders. DHCS will continue to communicate any additional information to Prohibited Entities through its regular communication channels and updated policy guidance. DHCS is committed to maintaining access to essential family planning and reproductive health services for all Medi-Cal members and Family PACT clients while complying with all applicable federal requirements. For questions about this guidance, please email DHCS' Office of Family Planning at
OFPStakeholder@dhcs.ca.gov.
DHCS Releases High-Fidelity Wraparound Concept Paper
On July 31, DHCS released the
High-Fidelity Wraparound Concept Paper for public comment. The paper describes the initial vision for Medi-Cal High-Fidelity Wraparound payment and monitoring policies and associated updated standards for service delivery in both Medi-Cal and the Behavioral Health Services Act, in alignment with national standards and state best practices. DHCS invites the public to comment on the concepts presented in the paper and provide responses to the specific questions for stakeholder input. Comments may be submitted to
BH-CONNECT@dhcs.ca.gov by 5 p.m. PDT on August 28.
DHCS Awards Local Emergency Medical Service Agencies
On August 1, DHCS awarded
two Local Emergency Medical Service Agencies $800,000 to foster low-barrier access to clinically proven opioid use disorder treatment for patients in an emergency medical services (EMS) setting who are at risk of overdose and often do not have access to services in other settings. The grants, awarded through a second round of funding from the Emergency Medical Services Buprenorphine Use Pilot Program (EMSBUP), went to the Alameda County EMS Agency and Sacramento County EMS Agency. The funds will help these two agencies address substance use disorder as a treatable emergency condition, using paramedics to identify and treat patients who would benefit from medications for addiction treatment. The funding will be used to help prehospital agencies implement EMSBUP; coordinate with navigators to provide linkages to care options for EMS patients with an opioid use disorder; provide a system for patients who sign out against medical advice to have access to outpatient treatment options; and collect de-identified data for research and monthly performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the EMSBUP treatment model. The project will run from September 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
New Funding Opportunity to Expand Doula Care Access in California
MOMS Orange County has been selected as the fiscal intermediary to distribute $382,500 in awards to community-based organizations, doula hubs, and doula organizations across California. These awards are intended to expand access to high-quality, respectful, and trauma-informed doula care for Medi-Cal populations. The funding will support between 10 and 14 awards, each ranging from $25,000 to $35,000, for such activities as doula recruitment, training, Medi-Cal billing assistance, and initiatives that introduce doulas to public health programs, health care providers, and community organizations focused on maternal health services.
Applications are due by August 22 at 12 p.m. PDT. Award announcements will be made on August 27, and the funding period will last for 90 days. As an enhancement award, the funding is designed to support activities that are already underway. Priority will be given to organizations serving areas with high maternal health disparities and those capable of training doulas to deliver respectful, trauma-informed care in multiple languages. Applicant
technical assistance office hours will be held on August 8 at 11:30 a.m. PDT. Together, we can work to ensure that all Medi-Cal populations have access to risk-appropriate, culturally aligned doula care throughout the state.
Join Our Team
DHCS is seeking talented and motivated individuals to serve as:
- Assistant Deputy Director (ADD), Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs (LGA). The ADD assists the Deputy Director of LGA with leading DHCS' legislative activities, including formulating, refining, and enacting policy- and budget-related legislation. Additionally, the ADD assists with developing and evaluating annual budget trailer bill legislation proposals that impact the Department. Applications must be submitted by August 20.
- Chief, Quality and Health Equity Division (QHED). The Chief of QHED, within Quality and Population Health Management, leads DHCS' health care clinical quality and health equity initiatives, evaluations, assurance, and improvement efforts. The Chief of QHED is also responsible for developing and implementing policies and processes related to clinical quality and health equity improvement and assurance (compliance/monitoring) activities. Applications must be submitted by August 15.
- Senior Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC), Fiscal, Financing, and Privacy Branch. The Senior ACC, within the Office of Legal Services, oversees the development and application of legal advice and policy to support DHCS' fiscal, financial, and privacy-related matters. This Senior ACC also provides legal advice and direction related to financing, rate setting, and third-party collections for the state's Medi-Cal program. Applications must be submitted by August 15.
DHCS is also hiring for its accounting, behavioral health, dental, 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.
Behavioral Health Transformation Quality and Equity Advisory Committee Webinar
On August 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the sixth
Behavioral Health Transformation Quality and Equity Advisory Committee (QEAC) public webinar (advance registration required). During the meeting, committee members can collaborate and provide feedback on DHCS' work to measure and evaluate the quality and efficacy of behavioral health services and programs in California. Attendees will be able to provide direct input to DHCS using the Q&A feature. Visit the Behavioral Health Transformation
Stakeholder Engagement webpage for more information about the QEAC webinars and additional resources. Please send questions related to Behavioral Health Transformation and/or the QEAC webinars to
BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.
Behavioral Health Task Force Meeting
On August 13 at 10 a.m. PDT, the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Behavioral Health Task Force will hold its
August meeting (advance registration required for virtual attendance). The agenda includes a panel discussion on the theme "Transforming Behavioral Health – Housing is Health," featuring leading experts in medicine, housing policy, and county-level behavioral health services. The meeting will also include a discussion on the implementation of Proposition 1 and the Behavioral Health Services Act, followed by updates and public comment. This meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Clifford L. Allenby building, 1215 O Street, Sacramento, in conference rooms 110A and 110B. For questions or comments, please email
BehavioralHealthTaskForce@chhs.ca.gov.
CalAIM Behavioral Health Workgroup Meeting
On August 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. PDT, DHCS will host the CalAIM and Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Behavioral Health Workgroup
meeting (advance registration required). The meeting will provide updates on High Fidelity Wraparound services. Workgroup members are invited to provide feedback during the meeting, which is open to the public. Please see the
agenda for more details. For questions or comments, please email
bhcalaim@dhcs.ca.gov.
Medi-Cal Dental Statewide Stakeholder Meeting
On August 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the
Medi-Cal Dental Statewide Stakeholder meeting. DHCS will share updates and information about new and upcoming activities. This meeting also provides dental stakeholders with a forum to share input with the Medi-Cal Dental team that can help improve the delivery of oral health care services. The meeting information will be posted on the Medi-Cal Dental Statewide Stakeholder Meeting
webpage. Any additional materials will be posted on the webpage prior to the meeting or as soon as they become available. Please email your questions to
dental@dhcs.ca.gov.
CalHHS CARE Act Working Group Meeting
On August 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT, CalHHS will hold its Community Assistance, Recovery & Empowerment (CARE) Act Working Group meeting. The meeting will feature a presentation and discussion about the recently released
2025 CARE Act Annual Report, which details the CARE Act's early progress in connecting Californians with serious mental illness to treatment, housing, and hope. There will also be a panel discussion on the Role of Peers in CARE, as well as updates on implementation and recent activities. Please see the
CARE Act Working Group website for more information.
In Case You Missed It
DHCS Released CalAIM Concept Paper and Began Public Comment Period
On July 23, DHCS released the
Continuing the Transformation of Medi-Cal Concept Paper, which outlines DHCS' vision and goals for the five years, starting in 2027, after key federal waivers that authorize California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) expire in December 2026. The concept paper outlines recent progress, current priorities, and the Department's long-term vision to strengthen and sustain Medi-Cal as a person-centered, equity-driven system. The 30-day public comment period will run from July 23 to August 22, with feedback accepted via email at
1115Waiver@dhcs.ca.gov.
Navigating Federal Cuts: A Presentation with CalHHS
Following the signing of H.R. 1 into law, California continues its mission to protect the health and well-being of all Californians.
View an important presentation on how these changes will impact Californians featuring DHCS Director Michelle Baass, CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson, California Department of Social Services Director Jennifer Troia, and Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman.
California Launches Two New Behavioral Health Programs to Support the Medi-Cal Workforce
As part of California's Mental Health for All Initiative, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) launched two new programs to strengthen the behavioral health workforce, particularly in Medi-Cal settings where access to care is most urgent. The Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program and Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program are the first two of five planned programs, representing a major step in expanding access to care that is responsive to the needs of California's diverse communities. Approved through a federal Section 1115 Medicaid waiver and implemented in partnership with DHCS, the BH-CONNECT Workforce Initiative supports training, recruitment, and retention of behavioral health professionals who serve Medi-Cal and uninsured Californians. The application cycles close on August 15, 2025.
