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SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), under the direction of Governor Gavin Newsom, this month applied to the Center for Medicaid and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the groundbreaking Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model. If approved, this multi-year initiative will expand Medi-Cal members’ access to lifesaving gene therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD), a severe genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects people of African descent.
“California’s application to participate in this federal model reflects our commitment to expanding access to groundbreaking treatments for Medi-Cal members with sickle cell disease,” said State Medicaid Director Tyler Sadwith. “These therapies have the potential to transform lives, and this initiative helps ensure that cost is not a barrier for Californians who need them most.”
WHY THIS MATTERS: More than 50 percent of individuals with SCD are covered by Medicaid in the United States. By participating in the CGT Access Model, California will:
“By expanding access to these transformative therapies, California is leading the way in addressing health inequities, improving life expectancy, and ensuring that Medi-Cal members with sickle cell disease receive the best possible care,” said Sadwith.
ABOUT THE CGT ACCESS MODEL: Gene therapy represents a groundbreaking approach to SCD. It modifies a patient’s own hematopoietic stem cells to help the body produce healthy red blood cells. This one-time treatment has been shown to reduce severe pain episodes and has the potential to prevent complications and improve the quality of life for individuals with SCD.
However, these therapies come with extraordinary costs, making access difficult for patients and Medicaid programs, including Medi-Cal. The CGT Access Model addresses this challenge by using a negotiated rebate system that ties payments for these treatments to patient outcomes. If the therapy does not meet expected health improvements, drug manufacturers will provide rebates to Medicaid programs, helping ensure financial sustainability while expanding access to care.
Initially, the model will focus on gene therapies for SCD, a condition affecting more than 100,000 individuals nationwide, including more than 8,000 Medi-Cal/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members in California.
If California is approved, eligible Medi-Cal members will have access to gene therapy treatment, case management, travel assistance, behavioral health support, and fertility preservation services, as the treatment process involves chemotherapy, which can impact fertility. CMS anticipates testing the model over an 11-year performance period, beginning on January 1, 2025.
BIGGER PICTURE: In addition to applying for the CGT Access Model, California was selected earlier this year for the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model, which aims to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce costs, and is transforming Medi-Cal through its California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) waiver, which focuses on whole-person care, care management, and addressing social drivers of health—strengthening efforts to create a more inclusive and effective health system.
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Cov phiaj xwm cia siab tias yuav pab tau ze li ntawm 2,000 tus neeg ib xyoos ib zaug
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Mentis are expanding outpatient services for people with mental health needs in Napa County. Just eight months ago, DHCS and Mentis broke ground on the Napa Valley Youth Wellness Campus, supported by Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program funding totaling more than $4.7 million.
On March 5, DHCS and Mentis celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new outpatient community mental health clinic and community wellness/youth prevention center, which opened for services and includes 121 new treatment slots and will serve nearly 2,000 people annually.
“DHCS is committed to working with partners like Mentis to rapidly expand mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for California youth,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “BHCIP continues to address historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need.”
Ribbon Txiav rau Napa Valley Youth Wellness Campus Project
NAPA VALLEY YOUTH WELLNESS CAMPUS: This project will serve the behavioral, mental, and emotional needs of children and youth in Napa Valley and their families. The project involves rehabilitating an existing private middle school campus building to incorporate a supportive art studio, community space, and therapy rooms. Services include children and youth wellness prevention activities, mental health treatment, group therapy and/or family activities, and individual therapy sessions. Programs are offered in English and Spanish and are free and accessible for all. Located within walking distance of three high schools, the campus’ continuum of care is intended to attract a diverse youth population, including youth of color and LGBTQIA+ and justice-involved youth.
“Our community clinic and youth wellness campus will provide much-needed support to youth who continue to struggle with life’s stresses,” said Mentis Executive Director Rob Weiss. “We are eager to expand our continuum of care to serve children and youth with a wide spectrum of needs, and we are grateful to DHCS for making this vision possible.”
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: BHCIP is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026. Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with co-occurring mental health treatment needs and substance use disorders.
DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS holds regular public listening sessions on this effort. Updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the online.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 4: CHILDREN AND YOUTH:BHCIP Round 4 focused on Californians ages 25 and younger, including pregnant and postpartum women and their children and youth ages 16-25, along with their families. Through funding made possible by California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, the 52 awards totaling $480.5 million allowed for new construction and expansion of multiple outpatient and residential facility types, including children’s crisis residential programs, perinatal residential substance use disorder facilities, community wellness/youth prevention centers, and outpatient treatment for substance use disorders. Please see the BHCIP website for more information about grant recipients and additional details about all BHCIP funding rounds.
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Office of Communications
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DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
Txoj Haujlwm yuav suav nrog 37 Lub Tsev Kho Mob Kho Mob Kho Mob Kho Mob Tshiab Tshiab
SACRAMENTO — On February 19, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center broke ground on Gateways’ youth expansion project in Los Angeles County. The project, funded by Round 4 of DHCS’ Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), will focus on youth with serious emotional or behavioral problems experiencing an acute psychiatric emergency.
DHCS awarded Gateways more than $19 million through BHCIP, which is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
“This groundbreaking is a significant step forward in our commitment to provide specialized care to youth facing acute mental health challenges,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “By expanding access to comprehensive care, we are fostering an environment where all young people can receive the care and support they deserve to thrive.”
GATEWAYS YOUTH EXPANSION PROJECT: Most of the youth to be served by the project have experienced traumatic events or adverse childhood experiences or are involved with child welfare services. Gateways is adding 37 inpatient beds for adolescents to the acute psychiatric hospital’s existing 55 inpatient beds serving adults and adolescents.
“There is an urgent need to provide support for youth facing mental health crises,” said Gateways Hospital CEO Dr. Phil Wong. “We commend California for prioritizing these funds to focus on youth mental health by expanding infrastructure capacity to help shift the tide. Our team is pleased to break ground on our expansion so we can start serving youth in need of these vital services.”
In addition to traditional health care, the expanded facility will allow youth to receive multiple therapeutic services and participate in activities designed to build autonomy and help them transition to outpatient services. These services will include individual and group therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, mentalization-based therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and biofeedback. Youth housed in the unit will receive multiple therapeutic services, including family therapy and medical counseling.
Finally, youth presenting with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and youth with co-occurring alcohol and drug disorders will receive nutritional counseling, have their physical health closely monitored, and receive medication management.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with co-occurring mental health treatment needs and substance use disorders. BHCIP is addressing historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need.
DHCS awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS holds regular public listening sessions on this effort. Updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 4: CHILDREN AND YOUTH: BHCIP Round 4, through funding made possible by California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, focuses on Californians ages 25 and younger, including pregnant and postpartum women and their children and transition-age youth ages 18-25, along with their families. The 52 awards totaling $480.5 million allow for new construction and expansion of multiple outpatient and residential facility types, including children’s crisis residential programs, perinatal residential substance use disorder facilities, community wellness/youth prevention centers, and outpatient treatment for substance use disorder. For more information, please visit the BHCIP website.
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Office of Communications
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
Tshiab Crisis Management Hub yog npaj los pab ntau tshaj 2,500 tus neeg txhua xyoo
SACRAMENTO — On February 7, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and CRI-Help announced the grand opening of the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Crisis Management Hub: A Fully Integrated Behavioral Health Campus project in Los Angeles County. The site includes an adult residential SUD treatment facility, an intensive outpatient treatment SUD facility, and a sobering center. These combined facilities are projected to serve more than 2,500 individuals annually.
The SUD Crisis Management Hub project was funded by Round 5 of DHCS’ Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP). DHCS awarded CRI-Help more than $21 million through BHCIP, which is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
“Facilities like these that are part of the SUD Crisis Management Hub treat not only the crises, but also the core concerns of people seeking help with their SUDs, so they can pursue continuous recovery,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “DHCS is pleased to partner with CRI-Help to make this facility a reality and to bring high-quality behavioral health care to this community.”
CRI-HELP: CRI-Help’s SUD Crisis Management Hub project immediately increases the availability of outpatient and residential crisis services for low-income adults in the downtown and east Los Angeles areas. This project includes three programs:
Together, these facilities will provide screenings, group counseling, patient education, family therapy group sessions, motivational interviewing, recovery efforts, and warm handoffs to other levels of care.
“With the addition of a sobering center funded by BHCIP that provides comprehensive recovery services, we are redefining what accessible, compassionate care looks like in the Los Angeles area,” said CRI-Help President and CEO Brandon Fernandez. “This campus stands as a beacon of innovation and inclusivity for people seeking a second chance in life.”
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with co-occurring mental health treatment needs and SUDs. BHCIP is addressing historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need.
DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS holds regular public listening sessions on this effort. Updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 5: CRISIS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTINUUM: BHCIP Round 5 was developed, in part, through a statewide needs assessment that identified significant gaps in available crisis services. This assessment showed the need for a better crisis care system to reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and incarceration. The 33 awards, totaling $430 million, are being used to build and expand crisis care and behavioral health facilities statewide and will serve vulnerable Californians of all ages, including Medi-Cal members.
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Office of Communications
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
Cov phiaj xwm xav kom pab ntau dua 900 tus neeg txhua xyoo
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is expanding residential services for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health needs at two locations in Los Angeles County.
The Whole Child—Mental Health and Housing Services celebrated the grand opening of a new community wellness center (below). On February 1, the center began providing trauma-informed, culturally sensitive mental health, family housing, parent enrichment, and nutrition education services. The center supports families in southeast Los Angeles who face barriers to accessing care, including youth and families experiencing homelessness.
Also, St. Anne’s Family Services hosted a groundbreaking (below) for a new short-term residential therapeutic program (STRTP) called STRTP FOR ONE, which annually provides high-quality supportive housing programs, early childhood education, mental health, and family-based services to thousands of young women, children, and families in Los Angeles County.
Both projects were funded by Round 5 of DHCS’ Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP). DHCS awarded The Whole Child—Mental Health and Housing Services more than $6 million and St. Anne’s Family Services more than $2 million through BHCIP, which is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
“Expanding community-based behavioral health care services is a top priority for DHCS,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “Residential facilities like these are a vital component of California’s efforts to bring high-quality, trauma-informed care to individuals and families who need it most.”
THE WHOLE CHILD—MENTAL HEALTH AND HOUSING SERVICES: The Trauma Healing and Wellness Center for Homeless Families and the Community project provides trauma-informed, culturally sensitive services to children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness in the Los Angeles area. In addition to outpatient counseling services, the center supports vocational, mental health, housing navigation, parent, and nutrition education. The center’s comprehensive suite of mental health services includes individual, family, and group psychotherapy, medication management, psychological testing, psychiatric services, case management, crisis intervention services, school-linked services to provide assessment and therapy to students onsite in schools, multidisciplinary assessment teams, and specialized foster care. Evidence-based practices include trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy, individual cognitive behavioral therapy, a Triple P-Positive Parenting Program, managing and adopting practice, child parent psychotherapy, Incredible Years, aggression replacement therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy.
“As a regional leader in children’s mental health and wellness, we know firsthand how childhood trauma and pain can follow children into adulthood,” said The Whole Child CEO Constanza Pachon. “However, we also know that treatment at an early age can have an enormously positive effect, providing children and teens with the tools and coping skills they need to begin their healing journey. This center, built with BHCIP funding, will be a beacon of hope for our community.”
STRTP FOR ONE: St Anne’s Family Services designed STRTP FOR ONE with one bed that offers highly individualized, comprehensive care to young mothers ages 13-17 who are at risk of multiple placements, homelessness, and incarceration due to their complex mental or behavioral health needs. The program is staffed by a team of highly coordinated and trauma-informed clinical professionals to provide strength-based, client-centered interventions within a home-like environment. The program aims to equip these youth with tools to address their complex trauma, foster independent living skills, and develop real-time parenting skills with natural support.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with DHCS to address the critical mental health needs of young families in our community,” said Lorna Little, MSW, President and CEO of St. Anne’s Family Services. “We are uniquely positioned to provide specialized services to young women in crisis—women who are pregnant or parenting, seeking to reunite with family members, and learning to stabilize within our programs to make a successful transition.”
WHY BHCIP IS IMPORTANT: Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with co-occurring mental health treatment needs and substance use disorders. BHCIP is addressing historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need.
DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS holds regular public listening sessions on this effort. Updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
HAIS TXOG BHCIP ROUND 5: CRISIS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTINUUM: BHCIP Round 5 was developed, in part, through a statewide needs assessment that identified significant gaps in available crisis services. This assessment showed the need for a better crisis care system to reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and incarceration. The 33 awards, totaling $430 million, are being used to build and expand crisis care and behavioral health facilities statewide and will serve vulnerable Californians of all ages, including Medi-Cal members.
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Office of Communications
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
Daim phiaj xwm tshiab qhia txog cov tswv yim los tsim kom muaj kev sib haum xeeb ntau dua thiab muaj kev sib haum xeeb rau tus neeg mob rau cov neeg cev xeeb tub thiab tom qab yug me nyuam Medi-Cal
SACRAMENTO – The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) today released the Birthing Care Pathway report, a comprehensive plan to improve maternity care for Medi-Cal members. This roadmap covers the journey of all pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members from conception through 12 months postpartum, aiming to make care accessible, equitable, and patient-centered.
“The Birthing Care Pathway represents a critical step forward in California’s commitment to improving maternal health,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “By centering member experiences, aligning policies with actionable recommendations, and strengthening partnerships across sectors, we aim to ensure every Medi-Cal member has access to safe, equitable, and comprehensive maternity care.”
KEY OBJECTIVES: The Birthing Care Pathway report details policies DHCS has implemented or is in the process of implementing to support all pregnant and postpartum members enrolled in Medi-Cal. Additionally, the report identifies opportunities for future exploration.
The Birthing Care Pathway prioritizes:
The Birthing Care Pathway will work to achieve these objectives by transforming Medi-Cal’s maternity policy to create a member-centered approach to prenatal and postpartum care that meets members where they are and provides whole-person care that addresses behavioral health and social needs in addition to medical needs. DHCS will revise and modernize existing Medi-Cal policies to provide members with increased choice of types of maternity providers and supports, like doulas, community health workers, and others, and creating critical linkages between health care and other programs across the state to make it easier for members to get the full range of needed services.
Additionally, DHCS will address the needs of special populations who are pregnant/postpartum, including people involved with the justice system, individuals with severe mental health and substance use needs, LGBTQI+ individuals, and Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander individuals.
DHCS will continue working with state departments, including the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Office of the California Surgeon General (OSG), maternity care and social services providers, state and local leaders, Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCP), birth equity advocates, and other partners to implement the Birthing Care Pathway policies outlined in the report. Continuing to engage a diverse set of partners to implement and further develop the Birthing Care Pathway will be vital to align the numerous maternity initiatives occurring so they are not siloed.
“Through a comprehensive, whole-person approach, California is not just enhancing perinatal health, but we are setting a bold new standard for care that delivers better outcomes for families statewide,” said California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos. “The Birthing Care Pathway is a vital addition to the state’s efforts that advance perinatal health, building on the innovative, collaborative work already underway.”
“Having served rural communities throughout my career, I know that providing access to services from conception through one year postpartum has always been a challenge,” said Dr. Robert Moore, Chief Medical Officer at Partnership HealthPlan of California. “Collaborations like the DHCS Birthing Care Pathway are vital in bringing together multiple partners and stakeholders to find solutions. The entire community must engage on this issue to make lasting progress.”
WHY THIS MATTERS: Nearly one in eight U.S. births occur in California, and 40 percent of those births are covered by Medi-Cal. While California currently has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the nation, Medi-Cal members have a higher rate of maternal mortality than individuals with commercial insurance.
While the Birthing Care Pathway lays out a long-term strategy for transforming maternity care in Medi-Cal, many services and supports are already available to pregnant and postpartum members. Medi-Cal members can access comprehensive maternity care, including prenatal and postpartum visits, doula services, behavioral health care, and lactation support, through their health plan and provider network. DHCS remains committed to improving and expanding these services as part of the ongoing work to implement the Birthing Care Pathway.
ABOUT THE BIRTHING CARE PATHWAY: The Birthing Care Pathway includes policy recommendations that address the physical, behavioral, and health-related social needs of pregnant and postpartum members. Opportunities include improving access to providers, strengthening clinical care and care coordination, providing whole-person care, and modernizing how Medi-Cal pays for maternity care.
The Birthing Care Pathway is part of a multi-year commitment to transforming maternal health in California, and maternal health reform is already underway. DHCS is implementing the federal ten-year Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model in five Central Valley counties: Kern, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Madera. TMaH is a delivery and payment model designed to test whether effective implementation of evidence-informed interventions, sustained by a value-based payment model, can improve maternal outcomes and reduce Medi-Cal program expenditures.
COLLABORATIVE PROCESS: The Birthing Care Pathway reflects a collaborative effort of pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members, state partners and a range of health care and social services providers, community-based organizations (CBO), and advocates, ensuring a community-informed policy approach to the future of birthing and maternal health care in California. Additionally, the California Health Care Foundation and the David & Lucile Packard Foundation provided funding to support engagement and report development. Key insights from Medi-Cal members highlighted critical needs, such as respect for birth preferences, access to racially concordant and culturally centered care, improved behavioral health support, and better care coordination. Member experiences directly shaped the pathway’s policy recommendations. For more information, please visit the Birthing Care Pathway webpage.
“Learning about the Birthing Care Pathway gave me a sense of relief and hope because it meant I could take care of my and my baby’s health without adding additional stress,” said M. Thao, mother of an 11-month-old baby. “Every time I called for help to navigate resources and to sign up for the program, I received clear guidance from Medi-Cal. That feeling of knowing you’ll be OK is one I hope every birthing parent in California can count on.”
A BROADER VISION FOR MATERNAL HEALTH: DHCS will work with MCPs, providers, CBOs, and other stakeholders to implement TMaH Model elements, which are aligned with and complementary to the Birthing Care Pathway. Additionally, DHCS is working with the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, CDPH, and OSG to develop a Maternal Health Strategic Plan by September 2025 to improve maternal health throughout California.
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Office of Communications
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
Kev Pabcuam Kev Noj Qab Haus Huv Tus Cwj Pwm nthuav dav rau 4,800 Tus Neeg Txhua Xyoo
SACRAMENTO — On January 23, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Sierra Vista Child & Family Services celebrated the opening of a new facility in Stanislaus County to close gaps in mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The Community Wellness and Youth Prevention Center will provide vital behavioral health services, including restorative justice practices for youth, mental health counseling, pregnant and postpartum services, family and parent support services, and other integrated services.
DHCS awarded Sierra Vista Child & Family Services more than $4.6 million through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), which works to ensure comprehensive behavioral health care for California’s most vulnerable individuals. The facility is expected to serve 4,800 individuals annually. With approved Proposition 1 bonds, in 2025 and 2026, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built.
“The Community Wellness and Youth Prevention Center is an important part of California’s efforts to bring high-quality, holistic health care to rural and underserved communities,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “The opening of this center is a game-changer for people seeking dignified and holistic behavioral health services in Stanislaus County.”
“It is our mission to strengthen families and communities,” said Andrew Timbie, Chief Executive Officer for Sierra Vista Child & Family Services. “We believe our strategic initiatives to embody that mission are played out effectively in investment and further development of our Community Wellness and Youth Prevention Center in the heart of Stanislaus County, a vulnerable and struggling neighborhood.”
SIERRA VISTA CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES: Sierra Vista Child & Family Services offers a diverse array of services, including Enhanced Care Management, mentoring, short-term residential therapeutic programs for foster youth, and perinatal substance use disorder treatment programs.
The new Community Wellness and Youth Prevention Center was built using BHCIP funds to create lasting change in the lives of children, families, and the entire Stanislaus community. The center serves children and youth under age 25 from underserved, at-risk populations, including people who are involved in the juvenile justice system with low criminal offenses, as well as their family members. Services include strength-based assessments, comprehensive case management services, links to local community resources, family and caregiver education and well-being support, mental health screenings, and pregnant and postpartum services.
WHY BHCIP IS IMPORTANT: Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with mental health and substance use disorders. BHCIP is addressing historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and support throughout the lifespan of people in need. Sierra Vista Child & Family Services received BHCIP Round 4: Children and Youth grant funding.
DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS holds regular public listening sessions on this effort. Updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
Hais txog BHCIP Round 4: Cov Me Nyuam thiab Cov Hluas: BHCIP Round 4 focused on Californians ages 25 and younger, including pregnant and postpartum women and their children and transitional-age youth ages 18-25, along with their families. Through funding made possible by California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, the 52 awards totaling $480.5 million allowed for new construction and expansion of multiple outpatient and residential facility types, including children’s crisis residential programs, perinatal residential substance use disorder facilities, community wellness/youth prevention centers, and outpatient treatment for substance use disorders. Please see the BHCIP website for more information about grant recipients and additional details about all BHCIP funding rounds.
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Office of Communications
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO — Lub Tsev Haujlwm Saib Xyuas Kev Noj Qab Haus Huv (DHCS) tau muab $ 2.7 lab rau 15 lub koom haum hauv zos los ntawm California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN), uas yog lub koom haum kawm thoob plaws lub xeev uas tau hwm los tawm tsam kev sib kis ntawm kev siv tshuaj ntau dhau. Cov nyiaj pab no yuav muab kev txhawb nqa tas mus li rau cov koom haum uas txhawb nqa COPN lub hom phiaj los txhawb kev sib txuas lus hauv zej zog thiab muab kev nkag mus rau kev paub, kev cob qhia, thiab cov peev txheej los txhim kho kev coj ua thiab tsim kev hloov pauv mus tas li.
"Feem ntau, kev kho mob ntawm kev siv tshuaj opioid tsis zoo tau raug cais tawm nrog kev sib txuas tsawg ntawm cov kws kho mob thiab lwm lub koom haum, ua rau muaj qhov sib txawv hauv kev saib xyuas," Tus Thawj Coj DHCS Michelle Baass hais. Cov nyiaj pab no yuav txhawb nqa COPN txoj kev siv zog los pab sib koom tes nrog cov koom haum, cov koom haum, thiab cov tib neeg ua haujlwm nyob rau pem hauv ntej ntawm California qhov kev sib kis ntawm kev siv tshuaj ntau dhau los ua qhov tseem ceeb rau cov kev xav tau tshwj xeeb, hauv zos thiab siv cov kev daws teeb meem uas tau ua pov thawj tias cawm tau txoj sia.
UA KOM TXAWV: Kaum tsib lub koom haum tau txais txiaj ntsig yuav siv cov nyiaj pab no ntawm Lub Ib Hlis 1, 2025, thiab Lub Yim Hli 30, 2027, los siv cov tswv yim uas hais txog kev tiv thaiv, kev kho mob, thiab kev rov zoo los ntawm kev siv tshuaj ntau dhau. Cov kev siv zog no suav nrog kev faib cov naloxone, kev nkag mus rau cov peev txheej cawm txoj sia, thiab kev kawm hauv zej zog, txhua yam tsom mus rau kev txo cov neeg tuag los ntawm kev siv tshuaj ntau dhau thiab txhawb kev rov zoo mus sij hawm ntev thoob plaws lub xeev.
VIM LI CAS QHOV NO TSEEM CEEB: Muaj ntau tshaj 7,000 tus neeg California tuag los ntawm kev siv tshuaj opioid ntau dhau hauv xyoo 2022. Muaj ntau tshaj 83,000 tus neeg tuag los ntawm kev siv tshuaj opioid ntau dhau txhua xyoo thoob plaws lub tebchaws, 90 feem pua ntawm cov neeg no yog fentanyl.
KEV PAB TXHAWB: "Vim yog cov nyiaj pab no, peb lub koom haum yuav txuas ntxiv muab kev kawm thiab kev paub hauv zej zog kom txo kev siv opioid thiab nce cov cib fim rau kev tiv thaiv kev siv tshuaj ntau dhau," Jenn Rhoads, Tus Neeg Saib Xyuas Kev Koom Tes rau San Luis Obispo Opioid Safety Coalition tau hais. "Peb kuj tseem yuav txhim kho kev nkag mus rau cov kws kho mob kom muaj kev kho mob thiab kev txo kev puas tsuaj thoob plaws lub nroog."
"Cov nyiaj pab no yuav txhawb nqa peb lub koom haum cov kev pib tam sim no thiab nthuav peb cov kev siv zog kom ncav cuag ntau tus pej xeem," Arthur Camargo, Coalition Coalition rau Drug Safe Solano hais. "Tshwj xeeb, cov nyiaj no yuav tso cai rau peb nthuav cov kev pabcuam txo kev phom sij, kev cob qhia thiab kev faib tawm naloxone, thiab cov xwm txheej thiab kev cob qhia hauv zej zog." Cov nyiaj txiag no kuj tseem yuav txhawb nqa peb lub koom haum txoj kev siv zog los hloov kho thiab faib cov peev txheej uas tsom mus rau cov kws kho mob kom muaj kev nyab xeeb dua ntawm kev sau tshuaj opioids thiab buprenorphine thiab siv peb cov ntaub ntawv los tawm tswv yim rau kev siv cov nyiaj pab daws teeb meem opioid hauv zos.
By strengthening connections and providing vital resources, COPN’s network and training give coalitions the tools and support they need to tackle the overdose epidemic effectively.
DAIM DUAB LOJ: Qhov project no tau txais nyiaj los ntawm State Opioid Response IV grant uas tau muab los ntawm Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Qhov project no yog ib feem ntawm DHCS txoj kev siv zog dav dua los daws cov teeb meem kev siv tshuaj yeeb dej cawv, uas hu ua California Opioid Response Project, kom nce kev nkag mus rau MOUD, txo cov kev xav tau kev kho mob uas tsis tau txais kev pab, thiab txo cov neeg tuag uas muaj feem cuam tshuam nrog kev siv tshuaj opioid ntau dhau los ntawm kev muab kev tiv thaiv, kev kho mob, thiab kev rov zoo. Yog xav paub ntxiv, thov mus saib lub vev xaib DHCS.
Lub xeev tau tsim opioids.ca.gov, ib qho cuab yeej ib zaug rau cov neeg California nrhiav cov peev txheej rau kev tiv thaiv thiab kev kho mob, nrog rau cov ntaub ntawv hais txog California ua haujlwm li cas los tuav Big Pharma thiab cov neeg ua lag luam tshuaj hauv qhov teeb meem no.
Cov chaw tsim nyog yuav tau txais CalRx-branded over-the-counter (OTC) 4 mg naloxone tsuag qhov ntswg pub dawb los ntawm DHCS' Naloxone Distribution Project. CalRx tab tom ua haujlwm rau kev xaiv rau cov tib neeg los yuav CalRx OTC naloxone tshuaj tsuag ntswg ncaj qha.
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Office of Communications
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SACRAMENTO — Lub Tsev Haujlwm Saib Xyuas Kev Noj Qab Haus Huv (DHCS) tau muab yuav luag $ 65.4 lab rau 91 lub koom haum los txhawb California Hub thiab Spoke System, uas yog ib qho qauv uas tau ua pov thawj los ua kom muaj kev nkag mus rau cov tshuaj rau kev siv tshuaj opioid (MOUD) thoob plaws lub xeev. Cov nyiaj pab no yuav txhim kho cov kev pabcuam tiv thaiv, kho mob, thiab rov zoo thoob plaws lub xeev, txhawb kev sib ntaus sib tua tiv thaiv kev kub ntxhov opioid thiab cawm txoj sia.
"Kev kov yeej tus kab mob opioid yuav tsum tau txhua feem ntawm peb lub cev kev noj qab haus huv pej xeem ua haujlwm ua ke los kho," Tus Thawj Coj DHCS Michelle Baass hais. Lub Hub thiab Spoke System txhawb zog California lub network ntawm kev tiv thaiv, kev txo kev raug mob, kev kho mob, thiab kev rov zoo los ntawm kev txhim kho cov kev pabcuam thiab cov peev txheej hauv cov zej zog thoob plaws lub xeev.
The Hub and Spoke System consists of a network of Narcotic Treatment Programs (known as Hubs) licensed to dispense methadone and other MOUDs. These Hubs are connected to other MOUD prescribers (known as Spokes), which primarily provide various formulations of buprenorphine—a medication that reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms—and ongoing opioid use disorder (OUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) care and treatment.
VIM LI CAS QHOV NO TSEEM CEEB: Muaj ntau tshaj 7,000 tus neeg California tuag los ntawm kev siv tshuaj opioid ntau dhau hauv xyoo 2022. Muaj ntau tshaj 83,000 tus neeg tuag los ntawm kev siv tshuaj opioid ntau dhau txhua xyoo thoob plaws lub tebchaws, ntau tshaj 90 feem pua ntawm cov neeg no yog fentanyl. Lub Hub thiab Spoke System ua rau muaj kev nkag mus rau cov kev pabcuam Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) thoob plaws lub xeev, tshwj xeeb tshaj yog nyob rau hauv cov nroog uas muaj cov neeg siv tshuaj ntau dhau. Qhov kev pab cuam no tau ua qauv raws li Vermont Hub thiab Spoke system, uas ua tiav kev nkag mus rau MAT hauv lub xeev nyob deb nroog uas tsis muaj kev kho mob ntau. Qhov project no ua rau muaj MAT ntau ntxiv rau cov neeg mob uas muaj OUD los ntawm kev nce tus naj npawb ntawm cov kws kho mob, cov neeg pab kws kho mob, thiab cov kws saib mob uas sau tshuaj buprenorphine.
Lub Hub thiab Spoke System txuas ntxiv txhim kho kev kawm, kev ncav cuag, thiab kev kho mob rau cov neeg mob uas muaj SUDs thiab OUDs, nrog rau kev tsom mus rau kev pabcuam cov pej xeem tsis muaj zog thiab nce cov kev pabcuam MOUD. Lub kaw lus no yog tsim los rau:
QHO NO TXHAIS LI CAS: Cuaj caum ib lub koom haum yuav tau txais khoom plig los muab cov kev pabcuam MOUD los siv Hub thiab Spoke System txij lub Ib Hlis 1, 2025, mus txog rau lub Cuaj Hlis 29, 2027. Cov neeg tau txais nyiaj pab suav nrog Cov Kev Pab Kho Mob Narcotic, Cov Chaw Kho Mob Uas Tau Txais Kev Pom Zoo Los Ntawm Tsoom Fwv Teb Chaws, Cov Chaw Kho Mob Hauv Zos, cov chaw kho mob hauv zej zog, cov koom haum tsis muaj txiaj ntsig, thiab cov koom haum Tribal.
KEV PAB CUAM TXOG KEV PAB CUAM: "Cov nyiaj pab no tso cai rau Venice Family Clinic muab kev txhawb nqa cawm siav rau cov neeg uas muaj SUDs, txawm tias lawv muaj kev pov hwm li cas los xij," Ariel Peterson, Tus Thawj Coj ntawm Kev Tswj Xyuas Kev Pabcuam rau Venice Family Clinic hais. Qhov no suav nrog cov tshuaj rau kev siv tshuaj opioid tsis zoo, kev sab laj, kev tswj xyuas cov neeg mob, thiab kev thauj mus rau kev tshem tawm cov tshuaj lom lossis kev saib xyuas neeg mob hauv tsev.
"Peb zoo siab tau txais cov nyiaj pab no los txhawb peb qhov kev pab cuam MAT rau OUD, ua rau peb txuas ntxiv muab kev pabcuam tseem ceeb thiab kev kho mob rau cov neeg mob Native American uas muaj kev pheej hmoo siab," Judith Surber, MAT Program Manager rau K'ima:w Medical Center hais. "Qhov kev pab cuam MAT tseem yog ib feem tseem ceeb ntawm peb lub chaw kho mob thiab lub zej zog dav dav uas peb pabcuam." Cov nyiaj pab no yuav pab txhawb peb txoj haujlwm kom loj hlob, txo qhov kev ntxub ntxaug, thiab txo qhov kev tuag los ntawm kev siv tshuaj opioid ntau dhau hauv peb lub zej zog nyob deb nroog. Los ntawm kev txhawb nqa ib puag ncig hauv tsev kho mob uas muaj kev teeb tsa zoo, peb lub hom phiaj yog txhawb kom cov neeg mob muaj peev xwm rov tsim kho lawv lub neej thiab pab txhawb nqa ua cov tswv cuab muaj txiaj ntsig ntawm lub zej zog, txhawb nqa lawv tsev neeg thiab cov zej zog.
"Nrog kev txhawb nqa nyiaj txiag ntawm Hub thiab Spoke System, peb cov kev pab cuam kho mob sab nraud, chaw nyob, thiab kev kho mob opioid muaj peev xwm muab kev ncav cuag ntau dua rau lub zej zog ntawm MOUD cawm siav thiab muab ntau tus neeg mob uas tsis muaj kev pov hwm kho mob thiab cov neeg mob uas tsis muaj kev pov hwm kho mob txaus kom muaj kev nkag mus rau MAT sib npaug," Andrea Nee, Tus Thawj Coj ntawm Kev Ntsuam Xyuas rau Clare|Matrix hais. Kev pab nyiaj txiag ntawm Hub thiab Spoke System yog ib qho tseem ceeb rau kev txhawb nqa peb cov thawj coj kho mob, cov neeg pab tswv yim, thiab cov neeg ua haujlwm saib xyuas neeg mob kom muaj peev xwm muab kev kho mob zoo tshaj plaws rau ntau tus neeg mob uas muaj OUDs thiab kev siv tshuaj stimulant. Peb yuav muaj peev xwm txhim kho kev paub thiab kev paub txog cov txiaj ntsig thiab qhov cuam tshuam ntawm MAT thiab txo qhov kev ntxub ntxaug ntxiv los ntawm kev qhia cov neeg mob thiab kev koom tes ua ke.
DAIM DUAB LOJ: Lub xeev tau tsim opioids.ca.gov, ib qho cuab yeej ib zaug rau cov neeg California nrhiav cov peev txheej rau kev tiv thaiv thiab kev kho mob nrog rau cov ntaub ntawv hais txog California ua haujlwm li cas los tuav Big Pharma thiab cov neeg ua lag luam tshuaj hauv qhov teeb meem no.
Lub Hub thiab Spoke System tau txais nyiaj los ntawm State Opioid Response IV grant, uas tau muab los ntawm Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Qhov project no yog ib feem ntawm DHCS txoj kev siv zog dav dua los daws cov teeb meem SUDs, hu ua California Opioid Response, kom nce kev nkag mus rau MOUDs, txo cov kev xav tau kev kho mob tsis tau txais kev pab, thiab txo cov neeg tuag uas cuam tshuam nrog kev siv tshuaj opioid ntau dhau los ntawm kev tiv thaiv, kev kho mob, thiab kev rov zoo. Yog xav paub ntxiv, thov mus saib lub vev xaib California DHCS Opioid Response Overview.
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Office of Communications
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO — In response to the Southern California wildfires, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) requested and received federal approval from the Biden-Harris administration of several dozen flexibilities to prevent disruptions in health care delivery so Medi-Cal members can continue to receive needed care. 1135 waivers allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive various administrative requirements to increase access to medical services during a time of national emergency. 1135 waiver approvals remain in effect throughout the duration of the public health emergency declared by former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, which is 90 days.
"DHCS tau cog lus tias yuav pab cov neeg California nrhiav kev kho mob uas lawv xav tau thaum muaj teeb meem loj heev no thiab thaum cov zej zog pib rov zoo thiab rov zoo," Tus Thawj Coj ntawm Lub Xeev Medicaid Tyler Sadwith tau hais. Cov kev zam uas peb cov neeg koom tes hauv tsoomfwv tau tso cai yuav muab kev ywj pheej rau cov kws kho mob kom daws tau cov kev xav tau tam sim ntawd ntawm cov tswv cuab Medi-Cal. Txawm yog nws yog kev ua kom muaj kev nkag mus rau cov kev pabcuam hauv tsev kho mob hauv lwm qhov chaw, muab kev ywj pheej rau cov kev pabcuam hauv tsev thiab hauv zej zog, lossis ua kom yooj yim rau kev sau npe rau cov kws kho mob, cov kev ntsuas no yog tsim los tshem tawm cov teeb meem rau kev saib xyuas thiab txhawb nqa cov neeg mob thiab cov kws kho mob pem hauv ntej thaum muaj xwm txheej ceev no thiab thoob plaws hauv txoj kev rov zoo.
Key flexibilities include:
TXOG KEV YOOJ YIM: Raws li 1135 kev zam, Lub Chaw rau Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) tab tom so ib ntus qee qhov kev cai ntawm Medicare, Medicaid, thiab Children's Health Insurance Program los pab cov kws kho mob thiab cov chaw kho mob teb rau qhov xwm txheej ceev lossis kev puas tsuaj. Cov kev pom zoo ntawm Cov Ntawv Ntxiv K muab kev ywj pheej ntxiv rau cov kev pab cuam hauv tsev thiab hauv zej zog. Cov kev ua no yog tsim los txo cov kev nyuaj siab ntawm kev tswj hwm thiab muab kev ywj pheej hauv kev xa khoom kho mob thaum lub sijhawm tseem ceeb
TAU TXAIS KEV PAB HNUB NO: Cov neeg California tuaj yeem mus saib CA.gov/LAfires, lub hauv paus rau cov ntaub ntawv thiab cov peev txheej los ntawm tsoomfwv xeev, hauv zos, thiab tsoomfwv tebchaws.
Covered California nyuam qhuav tshaj tawm lub sijhawm sau npe tshwj xeeb rau cov neeg nyob hauv Los Angeles thiab Ventura counties. Lub sijhawm sau npe tshwj xeeb no yuav kav mus txog rau lub Peb Hlis Ntuj hnub tim 8, 2025. Cov peev txheej muaj nyob rau hauv Los Angeles County thiab Xeev California. Ntawm 1.3 lab tus neeg California uas tsis muaj kev pov hwm kho mob uas tsim nyog tau txais kev pab nyiaj los ntawm Covered California lossis tsim nyog tau txais kev pab them nqi Medi-Cal, 356,000 tus neeg nyob hauv Southern California.
California developed resources to help guide people through disasters and provide information about the different types of federal, state, and local services available in California:
Through the BenefitsCal portal, Californians can get and manage benefits online. This includes food assistance (CalFresh, formerly food stamps), cash aid (CalWORKs, General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), and affordable health insurance (Medi-Cal).
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from the Southern California wildfires can apply for disaster assistance:
Yog koj siv cov kev pabcuam relay, xws li cov kev pabcuam video relay, cov kev pabcuam xov tooj captioned, lossis lwm yam, muab tus lej rau FEMA rau cov kev pabcuam ntawd.
KEEB KWV YAV DUAJ: Ua teb rau qhov hluav taws kub hnyiab thiab Tus Thawj Kav Xeev Gavin Newsom tau tshaj tawm Lub Xeev Xwm Ceev thiab Daim Ntawv Qhia Txog Kev Ua Haujlwm uas tau tshaj tawm rau lub Ib Hlis 7, 2025, DHCS tau siv cov kev hloov pauv tseem ceeb los tiv thaiv cov tswv cuab Medi-Cal hauv cov cheeb tsam cuam tshuam ntawm lub xeev.
DHCS tswj hwm Medi-Cal, California tus qauv ntawm Medicaid, muab kev pab them nqi kho mob rau yuav luag 15 lab tus tib neeg, suav nrog yuav luag 4 lab tus tswv cuab hauv Los Angeles County thiab ntau dua 250,000 tus tswv cuab hauv Ventura County. Yog tias cov tswv cuab ntawm Medi-Cal xav tau kev pab, lawv yuav tsum tiv tauj lawv tus kws kho mob lossis daim phiaj xwm.
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Office of Communications
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov