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October 6, 2023 - ​Stakeholder News

Top News

Chil​​dren and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)

DHCS selected Brightline to support the delivery of equitable, appropriate, and timely behavioral health services for more than six million young kids (0-12 years of age) and their families at no cost, beginning on January 1, 2024, as part of the CYBHI. Brightline will offer access to free behavioral health supports via video sessions and chats for parents, caregivers, and their kids to improve emotional well-being and resiliency. It will also provide support and resources, such as interactive digital education and behavioral wellness exercises. Additionally, Brightline will help families find care for kids who need more support than coaching by connecting them to community mental health providers and resources.

Brightline was selected to provide services that support DHCS' goal of improving access to critical behavioral health interventions, including services focused on prevention, early intervention, and resiliency/recovery for children and youth. In March 2023, DHCS announced its partnership with Kooth US, which will provide virtual services to youth ages 13-25. Both contracts are part of the $4.7 billion CYBHI, which is a key component of Governor Newsom's Master Plan for Kids' Mental Health.

CYBHI Grant Funding Application Period Extension
On October 6, DHCS extended the Round Three: Early Childhood Wraparound Services Request for Application (RFA) on behalf of the CYBHI Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (CDEP) grants program. Originally scheduled to close on October 6, the deadline was extended to November 1 at 5 p.m. The RFA seeks proposals from individuals, organizations, and agencies for the third round of grant funding to scale early childhood wraparound services, totaling $60 million. More information is available on the EBP/CDEP Grants webpage.
 

Program Updates

Smile, California Campaign for Medi-Cal Dental Services  

During the week of October 9, Smile, California will continue its social media campaign by launching both organic and paid campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to increase public awareness about Medi-Cal Dental and distribute important resources to Medi-Cal members. The campaign will continue until the end of 2023. Paid promotional efforts will emphasize the importance of routine dental checkups and the availability of transportation services, while reminding members that Medi-Cal offers free or low-cost preventive dental services.

Smile, California and Smile Dental Services will also continue the mobile van tour, with stops scheduled at locations in underserved counties across California, including on October 11 in Tehama County, October 12 and 13 in Trinity County, and October 17 in Amador County.
 

Join Our Team

DHCS is hiring for our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy, and information technology teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.

DHCS' purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care leading to a healthy California for all. DHCS' goals and objectives reflect DHCS' tremendous work to transform the state's health care system and strengthen organizational excellence.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

CalAIM Population Health Management (PHM) Advisory Group Meeting

On October 11, from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m., DHCS will host the PHM Advisory Group meeting (advance registration required), which will feature a discussion of the Risk Stratification, Segmentation, and Tiering (RSST) algorithm. A key component of the PHM Program and PHM Service, the RSST algorithm will create a single, statewide, transparent risk stratification and segmentation methodology with standardized risk tier criteria for Medi-Cal members. Ultimately, its outputs will be available within the PHM Service and identify members who may benefit from broader services and interventions. During the meeting, PHM Advisory Group members will be able to provide feedback on the contextual design of the RSST algorithm. The meeting will also include a brief presentation on the latest PHM transitional care services policy updates.

DHCS established the PHM Advisory Group to provide input to support the design and implementation of the PHM Program and Service. Advisory Group members include representatives from health plans, providers, counties, state departments, consumer organizations, and other groups who provide real-time feedback and recommendations. The meetings are open to the public, and meeting information and materials are available on the CalAIM PHM Initiative website.
 
Medicare Coverage Choices in California: Webinar
On October 11 at 1 p.m., DHCS and the California Department of Aging will jointly host a webinar entitled, "Navigating Medicare Coverage Choices in California, Including Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits" (advance registration required). Presenters will include Stephanie Fajuri from the Center for Health Care Rights, an expert in Medicare choices for consumers, and Nils Franco from ATI Advisory, a lead analyst for the review of Medicare Advantage Plan supplemental benefits in California. 

The webinar will share helpful information for consumers, families, health care providers, and the public policy community. It will include a presentation and question and answer session on Medicare coverage choices for consumers during the Medicare Open Enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) and an introduction to the newly released DHCS chartbook on supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans in California for contract year 2023. The chartbook is part of a series of chartbooks available on the DHCS Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration webpage. For questions or comments, please email OMII@dhcs.ca.gov.

Nursing Facility Financing Reform Webinar

On October 13, from 1 to 2 p.m., DHCS will host a virtual stakeholder webinar to discuss the development of the Skilled Nursing Facility Workforce Standards Program, Accountability Sanctions Program, and Workforce & Quality Incentive Program, authorized by Assembly Bill 186 (Chapter 46, Statutes of 2022) (advance registration required). The meeting will also provide an opportunity for stakeholder input. Additional information is posted on the DHCS Nursing Facility Financing Reform (AB 186) webpage.

Adult Expansion Webinar

On October 18, DHCS will hold the first of two webinars on the Medi-Cal adult (ages 26-49) expansion for local county offices and other stakeholders. The second webinar is tentatively scheduled for early December. The webinar will provide background information about the expansion, implementation planning, noticing, outreach, and more. Registration information will be posted on the Ages 26 through 49 Adult Full Scope Medi-Cal Expansion webpage. Individuals may register for the webinar by emailing AdultExpansion@dhcs.ca.gov.

DHCS will implement this expansion pursuant to Senate Bill 184 (Chapter 47, Statutes of 2022) on January 1, 2024. When implemented, the expansion will provide individuals 26-49 years of age with full scope Medi-Cal benefits, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, if they meet all other Medi-Cal eligibility criteria.

Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) and Behavioral Health- SAC (BH-SAC) Meeting

On October 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., DHCS will host the next SAC and BH-SAC hybrid meeting (advance registration required). It will open as a joint meeting, with topics shared by SAC and BH-SAC. A BH-SAC-only meeting will be held after the joint meeting; there is no SAC-only meeting. Participants may attend in person at The California Endowment, located at 1414 K Street in downtown Sacramento, or virtually. For more information, please visit the SAC and BH-SAC webpages.

Minor Consent and Confidentiality for Sexual Health Services Webinar

On October 25, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., DHCS and the California Prevention Training Center will host a Minor Consent and Confidentiality for Sexual Health Services webinar (advanced registration required). This webinar will provide an overview of the California laws that impact minors and their access to confidential sexual health and family planning services. It will review important exceptions to confidentiality, including mandated child abuse reporting, and share some examples of best practices for implementation in difficult situations. Participants will learn about resources to support implementation of minor consent laws and be given an opportunity to test their own knowledge through case studies.

For those unable to attend the live webinar, a transcript and recording of the webinar, along with additional resources, will be made available on the Family PACT website.
 

In Case You Missed It

California Continues Comprehensive Approach to Combat the Opioid Crisis

DHCS launched the Empowering Faith Leaders in California project, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation's Global Initiative's Overdose Response Network, and is investing in hospital emergency departments to continue to assist Californians in need of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health treatment services.

The Empowering Faith Leaders in California project will help address the opioid overdose and addiction crisis at the local level through a collaborative learning opportunity that will empower participating religious leaders from diverse faith traditions to respond to SUDs in their communities, using evidence-informed and compassionate approaches.

Additionally, DHCS announced an investment of $1.65 million to 66 hospitals with emergency departments ($25,000 each) to provide them with resources to continue their CalBridge Behavioral Health Navigator Program through April 30, 2024.

Last modified date: 11/7/2023 10:36 AM