September 23, 2024 - Stakeholder Update​​

Top News

California and Janus of Santa Cruz Break Ground on New Substance Use Treatment Facility

On September 18, DHCS and Janus of Santa Cruz broke ground on a new facility that will provide outpatient treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and perinatal and postpartum residential care for women with SUDs and their children up to age 12. DHCS awarded Janus more than $5 million through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), which works to expand the behavioral health facility infrastructure to serve the most vulnerable Californians. The Proposition 1 bonds will fund and build even more behavioral health treatment facilities in 2025 and 2026. Janus will serve 244 individuals annually through its outpatient SUD treatment facility. Additionally, the grant will fund 25 beds in Janus' perinatal residential SUD facility.

California and John Wesley County Hospital Break Ground on SUD Treatment Facility

On September 19, DHCS and JWCH Institute (John Wesley County Hospital) broke ground on an adult SUD treatment facility and wellness center in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. Through this BHCIP grant, the new campus will provide critical mental health and SUD treatment services to unhoused adults with SUDs and individuals experiencing mental health issues. The project will include a two-story building dedicated to behavioral health treatment. The first floor will add a community wellness center to serve 3,258 individuals each year in an outpatient setting. The second story will include an adult residential SUD treatment facility that will expand capacity by 38 beds within an integrated medical campus that offers a range of care. Of the 38 beds, 10 will be dedicated to SUD treatment with incidental medical services.

Program Updates

Medi-Cal Specialty Behavioral Health Delivery Systems SPA

DHCS is seeking stakeholder input on State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0042, which proposes to expand the continuum of community-based services and evidence-based practices available through Medi-Cal specialty behavioral health delivery systems, including through expanding co-occurring behavioral health treatment and adding Assertive Community Treatment, Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis, and Clubhouse Services as rehabilitative mental health services. Please direct comments to PublicInput@dhcs.ca.gov and reference “SPA 24-0042" in the subject line by September 28, 2024. Please note while DHCS will review the comments received after this date, the Department may be unable to consider those comments prior to the initial submission of SPA 24-0042 to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Enhanced Community Health Worker Services SPA

DHCS is seeking stakeholder input on SPA 24-0052, which proposes to add enhanced community health worker services as a rehabilitative mental health service, SUD service, and expanded SUD service. Please direct comments to PublicInput@dhcs.ca.gov and reference “SPA 24-0052" in the subject line by September 28, 2024. Please note while DHCS will review the comments received after this date, the Department may be unable to consider those comments prior to the initial submission of SPA 24-0052 to CMS.

Providers Making Major Strides to Transform Medi-Cal

Through Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH), organizations can access the funds, resources, and tools needed to provide stronger, more coordinated Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports linkages for the Medi-Cal members they serve. DHCS continues to collect success stories from organizations across the state engaged in PATH that you may read on the PATHways to Success webpage. To learn more about PATH, visit ca-path.com. To submit your organization's PATH success story, please email communications@ca-path.com.

New Smile, California Dental Health Awareness Campaigns

During this week, Smile, California will roll out fresh content across SmileCalifornia.org, including a new homepage banner and updated resources on the Oral Health and School Readiness page. These resources aim to remind families about the importance of regular dental check-ups for children's overall health and school performance. Along with the updated website, Smile, California will launch new social media campaigns on Facebook and Instagram to educate members about the importance of dental visits, benefits of sealants, and dental services Medi-Cal covers.

Join Our Team

DHCS is seeking highly skilled, exceptionally motivated individuals to serve as:

• Privacy Officer and Attorney Supervisor to lead DHCS' Privacy Office. The Privacy Officer and Attorney Supervisor manages team members as they prepare legal pleadings and strategies, develop complex legal advice, and conduct varied litigation support activities. (Final filing date: September 23)​

• Chief, Human Resources Division (HRD) to lead all aspects of human resources management, policies, practices, and operations for DHCS. The Chief of HRD provides strategic support, expert guidance, and creative solutions to the Directorate and Executive Staff, while ensuring adherence and compliance with the State of California's civil service rules and regulations. (Final filing date: September 25)
  

• Chief, Provider Enrollment Division (PED) to lead the development and implementation of policies, processes, and services related to the provider enrollment process, including screening, enrolling, and recertifying Medi-Cal providers. Additionally, the Chief of PED has full responsibility for the development and implementation of regulatory and process changes to the business requirements and enhancements for the Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment system. (Final filing date: September 30)
  

• Chief, Local Governmental Financing Division (LGFD) to provide organizational leadership and develop policy in support of Medi-Cal Behavioral Health and Local Educational Agency service programs as well as other local and county governmental federal reimbursement and financing oversight activities. (Final filing date: October 4)
  

DHCS is also hiring for its auditing, health policy, information technology, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

PATH Technical Assistance (TA) Marketplace Webinar

On September 26 at 10 a.m. PDT, DHCS will host a PATH TA Marketplace informational webinar (advance registration required). All currently approved TA recipients and eligible organizations interested in becoming TA recipients are encouraged to attend. The webinar will provide support on selecting vendors and projects, submitting TA projects for approval, progress reporting, and more. Please submit your questions to ta-marketplace@ca-path.com. Visit the PATH TA Marketplace webpage for more information.

Coverage Ambassador Webinar

On September 26, from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. PDT, DHCS will host a Coverage Ambassador webinar. Coverage Ambassadors help spread the word about Medi-Cal benefits, enrollment information, and exciting new projects focused on creating a healthy California for all. Please visit the Coverage Ambassador website to register for the upcoming webinar or subscribe to receive regular updates.

Doula Implementation Stakeholder Workgroup Meeting

On September 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the next Doula Implementation Stakeholder Workgroup meeting to examine the implementation of the Medi-Cal doula benefit, in accordance with Senate Bill 65 (Skinner, Statutes of 2021, Chapter 449), which added section 14132.24 to the Welfare and Institutions Code. The workgroup meeting will be held at 1501 Capitol Street, Sacramento, Room 71.5037, and is open to the public. The workgroup will discuss ways to minimize barriers to doula services and continue discussions regarding the workgroup's report to the Legislature, which must be posted on DHCS' website by July 1, 2025.

Streamlining Access to ECM

DHCS is streamlining and improving access to ECM by standardizing referrals and expediting the authorization process. DHCS worked extensively with stakeholders to develop statewide ECM Referral Standards and to include an updated ECM presumptive authorization policy in the ECM Policy Guide (page 107). The standards and policy take effect on January 1, 2025, and Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCP) are currently operationalizing the new guidance. On October 9, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host an all-comer webinar to share details on the standards and policy. Advance webinar registration is required when it is made available online. This webinar is open to all and will be of special interest to MCPs, providers, community partners, and organizations referring members to ECM. Stakeholders may also direct questions about the new guidance to CalAIMECMILOS@dhcs.ca.gov.

Updated Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM) Guide and Integrated Training Guide (ITG) Webinars

Two informational webinars will be hosted by University of California, Davis to support the launch of the new ICPM Guide and ITG. These resources will help managers, service coordinators, social workers, foster youth liaisons, youth probation officers, and others who support the local System of Care for Children and Youth in enhancing and improving sustainable safety, permanency, and well-being for children and families across California.

The first webinar was held on September 18 and provided a general overview of the updated ICPM Guide and ITG, leadership behaviors, and implementation for members of local Interagency Leadership Teams. The second webinar, on October 9, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT, will provide a general overview of the updated ICPM Guide and ITG and practice-level content (advance registration required).