SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in partnership with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), today
awarded $67 million to 99 organizations, across 30 counties, to expand early intervention programs and practices that provide mental health and wellness services to children, youth, and young adults in California.
“By investing in these programs, we can make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in California," said
DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “These investments will increase early identification of behavioral health concerns, prevent escalation to more intensive services, such as emergency department visits or inpatient hospitalizations, and improve quality of life and positive outcomes for children and youth into adulthood."
Today's awards are part of Governor Gavin Newsom's
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a cornerstone of the
Master Plan for Kids' Mental Health.
“The Commission appreciates the opportunity to work with DHCS to award these funds and extend the impact of the Governor's investment in child and youth mental health," added
Toby Ewing, Ph.D., Executive Director of MHSOAC. “California is leading the nation in early intervention for mental health, and these essential resources are part of a broader effort to fundamentally transform how we deliver care across the state."
WHY THIS MATTERS: National
research indicates 50 percent of all lifetime mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, mood disorders, psychosis) are evident in youth by age 14, with the number growing to 75 percent by age 24. However, only a small percentage of young people get the help they need early enough as symptoms develop.
TAKING ACTION EARLY: Early behavioral health intervention is essential to slow symptoms and the progression of mental illnesses that can lead to social isolation, poor functioning, and premature death. By expanding successful Evidence-Based Practices and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (EBP/CDEP) models throughout the state, California will improve access to critical programs to meet the early intervention needs of children and youth, including mental and behavioral health needs, housing, education and employment support, and linkages to other services.
Collectively, California's investments will:
- Create and expand early intervention programs and practices that reduce stigma, embrace mental wellness, increase community connection, and provide access to culturally responsive services.
- Provide a safe space for children and youth to find community, support, and advice.
- Increase early intervention so children and youth with or at high risk for behavioral health conditions can access services before conditions escalate and require a higher level of care.
- Reduce health disparities by improving equitable access to services for parents, caregivers, and children in a manner that is culturally and linguistically inclusive to the needs of populations of focus (see page 4).
- Prioritize equitable distribution of funds by awarding more than half the total funding in counties with the highest needs based on data from the California Healthy Places Index.
- Reduce utilization of higher acuity services (e.g., emergency department, inpatient hospitalization) through early intervention.
"California's investment in evidence-based interventions and proven community-defined-evidence practices is unprecedented, and we are committed to providing support for children, youth, and young adults at all points in the continuum of care - starting with prevention to early intervention, treatment, and recovery," said
Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency. “Early identification of mental health conditions and early intervention saves lives."
INVESTMENTS IN SPECIFIC TYPES OF CARE: Models funded under this opportunity include, but are not limited to, Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode of Psychosis (FEP), Blues Program, Culturally Informed and Flexible Family-Based Treatment for Adolescents (CIFFTA), Familias Unidas, Resourceful Adolescent Program-Adolescent (RAP-A), Youth Mobile Crisis Response, and a variety of other early intervention programs for children, youth, and young adults.
EXAMPLES OF WORK BEING FUNDED: CSC-FEP is a recovery-oriented treatment program that primarily serves adolescents and young adults, typically ages 15-25, experiencing their first episode of psychosis. CSC-FEP promotes shared decision-making and uses a team of specialists who work with the client to create a personal treatment plan. The goal is to help youth with FEP who are often frightened and confused to restore adaptive functioning. Specialists offer psychotherapy, medication management geared to individuals with FEP, family education and support, case management, and work or education support.
“This critical investment by DHCS will expand high quality coordinated specialty care for first episode psychosis in youth and young adults to new communities and enhance services for current programs, which will increase opportunities for individuals to lead full and happy lives," said
Tara Niendam, Ph.D., Professor in Psychiatry and Executive Director of U.C. Davis Early Psychosis Programs.
RAP-A is a universal resilience-building program for youth ages 11-15 that integrates cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal approaches to improve coping skills, build resiliency, and promote positive development. The program is complemented by a parent program (RAP-Parents) that supports parents in establishing healthy home environments. The program's cognitive-behavioral component enables participants to learn and practice approaches to cognitive restructuring and problem-solving.
HOW WE GOT HERE: Over the past 18 months, DHCS engaged with more than 1,000 diverse stakeholders and key implementation partners across California, including youth, families and caregivers, Local Educational Agencies and educators, health care providers and payers, behavioral health experts, and community-based organizations. DHCS prioritized listening to children, youth, and families, with more than 300 children and youth, via focus groups, surveys, and regular advisory body meetings.
Through an extensive community engagement process, DHCS selected a limited number of EBPs/CDEPs to consider expanding throughout the state, subject to further refinement based on an assessment of sustainable financing mechanisms, including Medi-Cal and commercial coverage and/or other funding streams. DHCS published its
grant strategy, which details the goals of the grant program across six distinct rounds of funding.
BIGGER PICTURE: The awards are funded through the CYBHI, a multi-billion-dollar investment in behavioral health and an important component of the Governor's transformation of California's mental health system. They focus on equity, centering efforts around children and youth voices, strengths, needs, priorities, and experiences, especially for those most at risk. They also drive transformative systems change and use ongoing learnings as the basis for change and improvement in outcomes for children and youth. Learn more about Governor Newsom's
Mental Health Movement.