California 988 Awareness Campaign
DHCS is launching an awareness campaign for the California 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, in recognition of the inaugural 988 Day (celebrated on September 8) and National Suicide Prevention Month. This statewide initiative aims to raise awareness of the
988 Lifeline among diverse communities, including Black, Asian, Tribal, and Spanish-speaking populations, as well as youth and young adults—particularly boys and young men aged 18–24. The campaign will run through December 25, 2025. The campaign utilizes a wide range of media formats to maximize reach and engagement. These include traditional and premier poster billboards, programmatic digital billboards, and digital and poster placements in high-traffic areas, such as mall lobbies, food courts, and movie theater lobbies. The media strategy is designed to meet audiences where they are, with particular emphasis on reaching younger demographics through placements aligned with major film releases. This multi-channel approach ensures that the 988 message is visible, accessible, and resonant across California's diverse population.
The campaign will roll out in two phases. Phase I, spanning the first six weeks, features bold, direct messaging that introduces 988 as a lifeline for those in crisis, emphasizing its call, text, and chat capabilities. Materials are anticipated to be posted during the week of September 15. Phase II will introduce additional creative elements and supportive taglines, such as “Help is Here," “Your Story Matters," and “Hope is Within Reach." These messages are tailored to foster connection, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behavior.
Join Our Team
DHCS is seeking a talented and motivated individual to serve as:
- Chief, Benefits Division. The Chief is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing medical coverage policies for health care services provided by Medi-Cal, which include both the fee-for-service and managed care delivery systems. The Chief is also responsible for overseeing several specialty programs within Health Care Benefits and Eligibility, including Every Woman Counts, Prostate Cancer Treatment, and Hearing Aid Coverage for Children, among others. Applications must be submitted by September 17.
DHCS is also hiring for its accounting, managed care, Home and Community-Based 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 September 11, 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. MCHAP advises DHCS on policy and operational issues that affect children in Medi-Cal. For more information, please see the MCHAP webpage or email MCHAP@dhcs.ca.gov.
CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup Meeting
On September 24, from 12 to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will virtually host the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration Workgroup meeting (advance registration required). The workgroup is a stakeholder collaboration hub for CalAIM MLTSS and integrated care for dual eligible members. It allows stakeholders to provide feedback and share information about policy, operations, and strategy for upcoming changes to Medi-Cal and Medicare. The meeting agenda includes updates on the 2026 Medi-Medi Plan Expansion, Exclusively Aligned Enrollment Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Default Enrollment Pilot, 2026 D-SNP State Medicaid Agency Contract and Policy Guide, and duals data on Medicare Enrollment, Enhanced Care Management, and Community Supports. The meeting updates will be followed by a spotlight presentation on “Dementia Care and Caregiver Supports" for dual eligible members. More information, background materials, transcripts, and video recordings of previous workgroup meetings are posted on the CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup webpage. For questions or comments, please email DHCS at info@calduals.org.
Coverage Ambassador Webinar Series
On September 25, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a Coverage Ambassador webinar that will focus on various presumptive eligibility programs (advanced registration required). Coverage Ambassadors help spread the word about Medi-Cal benefits, enrollment information, and new projects to help create a healthy California for all. Please visit the Coverage Ambassador webpage for more information, including how to subscribe to receive regular updates.
In Case You Missed It
West Coast States Form Health Alliance to Uphold Scientific Integrity
The Governor's Office announced that California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii are launching the West Coast Health Alliance to ensure vaccine decisions remain rooted in science. This new partnership will coordinate immunization guidance across the four states, providing residents with consistent, evidence-based recommendations. The Alliance will rely on trusted medical experts and national organizations to guide its work to protect community health. Each state will maintain its own approach while aligning shared principles of transparency, safety, and access. The Alliance also affirms Tribal sovereignty in vaccine-related decisions. This action follows disruptions to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's leadership and advisory structures, which have created uncertainty for providers, manufacturers, and families.
DHCS Launched New Online Experience for Medi-Cal Members and Applicants
DHCS launched a new online experience for Medi-Cal members and potential applicants at my.medi-cal.ca.gov. These new pages are the main entry point for Californians who come to DHCS.ca.gov to learn about Medi-Cal benefits, check if they qualify, and take the next step to apply for or use their coverage. The site, designed specifically for Medi-Cal members and potential members and informed by the Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee, is:
- Mobile-first – built for phones, where most users access the web.
- Plain-language – written at a sixth grade reading level to ensure clarity.
- Multilingual – in 19 Medi-Cal languages to support California's diverse communities.
- Accessible – fully usable by people with disabilities and assistive technologies.
- Streamlined – focused only on member needs, with no extra clutter.
This new online experience is just the beginning and is part of a broader Web Transformation Project to make DHCS.ca.gov more human-centered, inclusive, and effective. We invite you to explore the site and share it with your networks. Together, we can help more Californians get the information and care they need.