XOV XWM TSHIAB​​ 

Lub Xeev Tau Txais Kev Pom Zoo Los Ntawm Tsoom Fwv Teb Chaws Rau BH-CONNECT Initiative Medi-Cal yuav Muab Kev Pab Them Nqi Xauj Tsev Hloov Chaw Muaj Nyob Rau Lub Xya Hli 2025 Thiab Them Nqi Tshiab $ 1.9 Billion Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative​​ 

SACRAMENTO — California has secured federal and state funding to revolutionize behavioral health care for Medi-Cal members. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) demonstration. This transformative initiative establishes a robust continuum of evidence-based community services for people with significant behavioral health needs, including providing up to six months of transitional rent for qualified members, funding new training for providers and counties, and addressing disparities through targeted funding and innovative programs. By expanding community-based services and integrating evidence-based practices, BH-CONNECT aims to reduce costly emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and institutional stays, including in carceral settings.  
 
“The importance of BH-CONNECT cannot be overstated,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “BH-CONNECT equips California with critical resources to partner with counties in strengthening and expanding behavioral health services—making sure that the system will work for Californians that need services and support. In the face of a historic mental health crisis, we are ensuring that Medi-Cal members living with significant behavioral health needs receive equitable, community-based care to thrive where they live.”​​ 

Ob lub ntsiab lus tseem ceeb ntawm BH-CONNECT yog qhov kev pab cuam txog li rau lub hlis ntawm kev pab cuam xauj tsev thiab $ 1.9 nphom kev coj cwj pwm kev noj qab haus huv cov neeg ua haujlwm.​​ 

“BH-CONNECT builds upon California’s unprecedented investments and transformative policies to ensure Medi-Cal members with the greatest behavioral health needs have access to community-based care that promotes recovery, stability, and dignity,” said State Medicaid Director Tyler Sadwith. “BH-CONNECT provides essential stability for Medi-Cal members transitioning from institutional settings or homelessness by offering up to six months of transitional rent assistance. Coupled with our commitment to expanding the continuum of behavioral health care and investing in our workforce, this initiative ensures that individuals receive the comprehensive, community-based care they need to thrive.”​​ 

Vim li cas qhov no tseem ceeb: Cov kab mob puas siab puas ntsws yog ib qho kev noj qab haus huv tshaj plaws uas cov neeg California ntsib, nrog ze li 1 ntawm 26 tus neeg nyob hauv muaj mob hlwb loj. Xyoo 2022, ob feem peb ntawm cov neeg laus muaj mob hlwb tsis tau txais kev kho mob. Cov tib neeg no muaj keeb kwm tau ntsib cov teeb meem loj heev thaum tawm hauv tsev kho mob lossis thaum muaj kev tsis muaj tsev nyob thiab sawv siab tshaj plaws kom tau txais txiaj ntsig ntawm kev rov qab los thiab kev ruaj ntseg hauv zej zog los ntawm kev nkag mus rau cov kev pabcuam los ntawm BH-CONNECT. Qhov kev pib no yuav pab Medi-Cal cov tswv cuab nrog cov kev xav tau kev noj qab haus huv tseem ceeb, suav nrog cov menyuam yaus thiab cov tub ntxhais hluas koom nrog kev noj qab haus huv menyuam yaus, cov tib neeg thiab cov tsev neeg muaj kev pheej hmoo ntawm kev tsis muaj tsev nyob, thiab cov neeg koom nrog kev ncaj ncees.​​ 

BH-CONNECT is a key pillar of Governor Newsom’s Mental Health for All and is strategically aligned with Behavioral Health Transformation efforts underway as part of Proposition 1 to modernize California’s behavioral health system, expand access to evidence-based service models on a statewide basis, and address the housing needs of Californians with significant behavioral health conditions. 
   
TRANSFORMATIVE FEATURES: BH-CONNECT represents a strategic shift in how California addresses behavioral health care. In partnership with county behavioral health plans, BH-CONNECT strengthens California’s behavioral health workforce, incentivizes measurable outcomes, and fills critical service gaps to create a more equitable and effective system of care. Key features include:​​ 

• Kev nqis peev pab neeg ua haujlwm: Txhawb nqa $ 1.9 nphom muaj zog thiab muaj ntau yam kev coj noj coj ua hauv kev noj qab haus huv cov neeg ua haujlwm uas suav nrog cov nyiaj pab kawm ntawv, cov nyiaj qiv nyiaj rov qab, kev txhawb nqa neeg ua haujlwm, chaw nyob thiab kev sib raug zoo, thiab kev txhim kho kev ua haujlwm. Txoj haujlwm pib ua haujlwm yuav raug tswj hwm los ntawm Lub Tsev Haujlwm Saib Xyuas Kev Noj Qab Haus Huv Kev Nkag Nkag thiab Cov Ntaub Ntawv.​​ 
• Transitional Rent Assistance: Provides up to six months of rental support, through a member’s managed care plan, for eligible Medi-Cal members transitioning from institutions, congregate settings, or homelessness. This support is crucial in stabilizing individuals during vulnerable periods, significantly reducing the risk of returning to institutional care or experiencing homelessness. Transitional rent will serve as a bridge to permanent housing for members who need it. For members with significant behavioral health needs, the Behavioral Health Transformation funding dedicated to Housing Interventions will provide permanent rental subsidies and housing following transitional rent, providing seamless continuity and supporting members in achieving long-term housing stability.​​ 
• Kev them nyiaj yug rau menyuam yaus thiab cov hluas: suav nrog cov nyiaj ua haujlwm los txhim kho kev nkag mus thiab cov txiaj ntsig rau cov tub ntxhais hluas koom nrog kev noj qab haus huv menyuam yaus tau txais kev pabcuam tshwj xeeb rau kev puas hlwb.​​ 
• Kuv​​ nce nqi rau Counties: Txhawb nqa $1.9 billion Access, Reform, thiab Outcomes Incentive Program rau muab nqi zog rau lub nroog cov phiaj xwm kev noj qab haus huv hauv nroog rau kev txhim kho kev nkag mus, txo qhov tsis sib xws, thiab txhawb kev txhim kho tus cwj pwm kev noj qab haus huv.​​ 
• Kev Pabcuam Hauv Zej Zog Kev Hloov Pauv Hauv Zej Zog: Txhawb cov tswvcuab hloov pauv los ntawm cov chaw ua haujlwm mus sij hawm ntev kom ntseeg tau tias muaj kev saib xyuas txuas ntxiv thiab ua tiav kev sib koom ua ke hauv zej zog.​​ 
• Short-term Inpatient Psychiatric Care: Muab kev hloov pauv tshiab rau tsoom fwv Medi-Cal nyiaj pab rau kev kho mob puas siab puas ntsws nyob rau lub sij hawm luv luv uas muab rau hauv cov chaw kho mob hauv tsev kho mob thiab chaw nyob uas ua tau raws li tsoom fwv teb chaws cov cai rau cov kab mob puas hlwb.​​ 

Ua ke nrog cov cai siv nyiaj thiab kev zam uas tau tso cai ua ib feem ntawm kev pom zoo ua qauv qhia ntawm Tshooj 1115, DHCS tab tom siv lwm yam ntxwv ntawm kev ua qauv qhia BH-CONNECT uas tsis tas yuav muaj cai ua qauv qhia ntawm Tshooj 1115, suav nrog:​​ 

Kev pab them nqi kho mob Medi-Cal rau cov kev coj ua raws li pov thawj (EBP), suav nrog (muaj nyob rau ntawm lub nroog xaiv):
Kev Kho Mob Hauv Zej Zog (ACT), ib qho qauv kev pabcuam uas muaj kev sib koom tes, hauv zej zog, thiab ua haujlwm ua pab pawg los pab cov tib neeg uas muaj mob hlwb loj heev daws cov tsos mob ntawm lawv tus mob hlwb thiab txhim kho lossis rov qab kho cov txuj ci kom ua haujlwm tau zoo hauv zej zog.
Kev Ua Haujlwm Txog Kev Txhaum Cai, ib qho kev kawm ACT uas tsim los rau cov tib neeg uas koom nrog txoj cai lij choj.
Kev Saib Xyuas Tshwj Xeeb rau Thawj Zaug Mob Hlwb, ib qho qauv kev pabcuam uas muaj kev sib koom tes, ua ke hauv zej zog, thiab ua ke ua pab pawg los pab cov tib neeg daws cov tsos mob ntawm kev mob hlwb thaum ntxov thiab nyob ua ke hauv zej zog.
Tus Qauv Kev Tso Chaw thiab Kev Txhawb Nqa Tus Kheej ntawm Kev Ua Haujlwm Txhawb Nqa, cov kev pabcuam hauv zej zog thiab pab pawg uas pab cov tib neeg uas muaj teeb meem kev noj qab haus huv kom ua lub neej zoo thiab muaj txiaj ntsig hauv zej zog, suav nrog kev nrhiav thiab/lossis tswj kev ua haujlwm sib tw.
Cov Kev Pabcuam Neeg Ua Haujlwm Saib Xyuas Kev Noj Qab Haus Huv Hauv Zej Zog, cov kev pabcuam tiv thaiv uas tau muab los ntawm cov txheej txheem kev pabcuam kev noj qab haus huv tshwj xeeb los ntawm cov tswv cuab hauv zej zog uas ntseeg siab muab kev kawm txog kev noj qab haus huv, kev tawm tswv yim, thiab kev pabcuam kev taw qhia los txhawb cov tswv cuab kom tau txais kev kho mob xav tau thiab cov peev txheej hauv zej zog los daws cov teeb meem kev noj qab haus huv hauv zej zog. 
Cov Kev Pabcuam Clubhouse, cov kev pabcuam uas muaj nyob rau hauv cov kev pab cuam kho kom rov zoo uas muab qhov chaw rau cov neeg uas muaj kev xav tau kev noj qab haus huv loj heev los tsim kev sib raug zoo, koom nrog kev ua haujlwm thiab kev kawm, thiab tau txais kev pabcuam txhawb nqa.
Kev piav qhia txog cov kev cai ntawm Medi-Cal rau EBPs rau cov menyuam yaus thiab cov hluas, suav nrog Multisystemic Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, thiab High-Fidelity Wraparound (siv thoob plaws lub xeev). Los ntawm kev muab cov lus qhia meej dua thiab cov kev cai them rau cov EBPs no, BH-CONNECT lub hom phiaj yog xyuas kom meej tias ntau tus menyuam yaus thiab cov hluas hauv California muaj kev nkag mus rau cov kev kho mob zoo no.
Ib tug neeg saib xyuas kev noj qab haus huv ntawm menyuam yaus hauv cov phiaj xwm kev saib xyuas uas tswj hwm los saib xyuas thiab xa cov Kev Tswj Xyuas Kev Saib Xyuas Zoo, koom nrog cov rooj sib tham ntawm Pab Pawg Menyuam thiab Tsev Neeg, xyuas kom meej tias cov kev pabcuam kev saib xyuas tau sib koom tes nrog lwm cov kev pabcuam, thiab ua haujlwm ua qhov chaw rau cov thawj coj saib xyuas kev saib xyuas yog tias lawv ntsib teeb meem kev ua haujlwm (siv thoob plaws lub xeev).
Cov Chaw Zoo Tshaj Plaws muab kev cob qhia thiab kev pab txog kev siv tshuab rau cov txheej txheem kev noj qab haus huv thiab cov chaw muab kev pab txhawb kev kho mob thiab kev xa cov EBPs (siv thoob plaws lub xeev). 
Kev mus ntsib ua ke ntawm kev noj qab haus huv ntawm menyuam yaus/kev noj qab haus huv tshwj xeeb ntawm lub hlwb thaum ib tug menyuam nkag mus rau hauv kev pabcuam kev noj qab haus huv (siv thoob plaws lub xeev). 
​​ 

“The BH-CONNECT Demonstration will be a transformative step forward in improving Riverside County’s behavioral health system,” said Dr. Matthew Chang, Behavioral Health Director for Riverside University Health System. “By building a more organized and equitable network of community-based services, we can enhance access to timely, comprehensive care for our most vulnerable populations, ensuring they receive support when and where they need it most.”​​ 

“Kaiser Permanente supports programs and policies that ensure all individuals have access to affordable, high-quality health care, and we applaud DHCS for its efforts to address health-related social needs for Medi-Cal members. We are excited by the transformative potential of transitional rent and are committed to partnering with DHCS as it develops a transitional rent program that will improve the health and well-being of our most vulnerable members and communities,” said Amanda Flaum, Kaiser Permanente Vice President for Medicaid in California and Hawaii.​​ 

In 2022, DHCS commissioned Assessing the Continuum of Care for Behavioral Health Services in California to study and make recommendations about the missing gaps in access and infrastructure needed to create a more seamless, coordinated network of behavioral health care—ensuring that communities that have historically faced barriers to accessing care can navigate a full spectrum of services easily, ultimately improving health outcomes for all members. The BH-CONNECT waiver application, submitted to CMS in October 2023, focused on closing key service gaps along the continuum of behavioral health care, such as increasing evidence-based treatment options for vulnerable populations, including children and youth involved in child welfare, members at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and members with justice system involvement, and increasing equity for Medi-Cal members.​​ 

DAIM DUAB LOJ: BH-CONNECT tsim los ntawm ze li ntawm $ 15 billion hauv kev nqis peev hauv xeev thiab sib haum nrog cov kev hloov pauv xws li Behavioral Health Transformation-Proposition 1, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program, Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative, Behavioral Health Payment Reform, Medi-Cal Transformation, 988 expansion, thiab ntau ntxiv.​​  

###​​