July 27, 2026

Top News

New Report on Expanding Access to Community-Based Behavioral Health Services for Youth and their Caregivers

On July 22, DHCS published the Scaling Evidence-Based and Community-Defined Evidence Practices Grant Program Interim Report, highlighting statewide progress in expanding behavioral health services for children, youth, and parents/caregivers. Evidence-based practices are research-supported interventions, while community-defined evidence practices are culturally rooted approaches developed within communities that demonstrate effectiveness through lived experiences. Since July 2023, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) has reached more than 852,000 people through outreach, engagement, and screening, and provided in-depth behavioral health support to nearly 35,000. A video highlights stories, partnerships, and the program’s growing statewide impact. By embedding evidence-based and community-defined practices in schools, community organizations, and other trusted settings, and by strengthening the behavioral health workforce through significant hiring and training, California is advancing key goals of the CYBHI and the Governor’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, expanding access for historically underserved communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQIA+, immigrant families, and rural populations.

Join Our Team

DHCS is hiring for its Stakeholder Engagement, Legal, Auditing, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

DHCS posts upcoming public meetings on its Calendar of Events. DHCS provides free assistive services, including language interpretation, real-time captioning, and meeting materials in alternate formatting. To request services, please email the Office of Civil Rights at civilrights@dhcs.ca.gov at least ten working days before the meeting.

Smile, California Mobile Dental Van Events

On July 28 and 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT, mobile dental van events will be held in Lassen County to provide free dental services. The van will be located at the Lassen County Public Health Department at 1445 Paul Bunyan Road, Unit B, in Susanville. The mobile dental van will offer preventive and restorative services, such as exams, x-rays, cleanings, sealants, fluoride varnish applications, and simple extractions. Families may call 1-888-585-3368 or visit SmileCalifornia.org to schedule an appointment, pre-register, and complete the consent forms ahead of time. Smile, California is DHCS’ Medi-Cal Dental education and outreach campaign designed to help more than 14 million members access and use their dental benefits.

Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing Requirements: Stakeholder Town Hall

On July 30, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. PDT, DHCS will host a town hall webinar to explain ordering, referring, and prescribing (ORP) enrollment requirements for claims across both pharmacy (Medi-Cal Rx) and medical (CA-MMIS) billing systems. Participants who previously registered and received a link or joined the waitlist will now join directly via the new link (NOTE: the previous registration link is no longer available). Federal law requires providers who order, refer, or prescribe services for Medi-Cal members be enrolled in Medi-Cal and identified on claims using a valid Type 1 National Provider Identifier. The webinar will explain this requirement, clarify what prescribers and providers must do to achieve or stay in compliance, and gather questions from stakeholders. To meet the ORP requirements responsibly, DHCS is taking a measured, data-driven approach that emphasizes outreach, provider education, and early enrollment support before full claim edit enforcement begins. This approach protects timely access to medications and medical services while DHCS works closely with plans, providers, vendors, and stakeholders to maintain alignment across pharmacy and medical systems. DHCS will continue to share updates as planning moves forward.

Coverage Ambassador Webinar Series

On July 30, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a Coverage Ambassador webinar to provide a high-level overview of the transition of members with unsatisfactory immigration status to fee-for-service (advanced registration required). Spanish interpretation and live captions will be available. Coverage Ambassadors are trusted messengers who help raise awareness about Medi-Cal benefits, enrollment opportunities, and new initiatives aimed at building a healthier California for all. Visit the Coverage Ambassador website for more information, including how to subscribe for regular updates, newsletters, and webinar reminders.

Medi-Cal Doula Benefit Townhall Meeting

On August 7, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. PDT, DHCS will hold a Medi-Cal doula benefit townhall meeting for Medi-Cal members, providers, community partners, and stakeholders (virtual via Microsoft Teams and in person in the auditorium at 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento). This forum will share important updates on Medi-Cal doula services and provide a space for shared learning, discussion, and questions. The webinar is open to all interested parties, and we encourage broad participation as we discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen Medi-Cal doula services and improve access, quality, and Medi-Cal member experience. Please email any questions to DoulaBenefit@dhcs.ca.gov.