Stakeholder News – June 29, 2026
June 29, 2026
Top News
DHCS Releases Latest Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports Quarterly Report
On June 26, DHCS released the latest Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports quarterly report, covering July to September 2025 (Q3 2025) and highlighting statewide trends since January 2022. The report shows strong, continued growth: nearly 227,500 members received ECM in Q3 2025—a 59 percent increase from Q3 2024—with notable gains among children, youth, and people experiencing homelessness. Community Supports use is also rising, with nearly 191,000 members accessing at least one service during the quarter.
These services continue to demonstrate cost-effectiveness by helping members avoid higher cost care, such as emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and long-term care. Early findings show that supports like sobering centers and housing tenancy and sustaining services may increase short-term utilization as members reconnect with care, but are trending toward long-term cost-effectiveness as stability improves. The full report includes detailed state, county, and plan-level data, and the latest In Lieu of Services (ILOS) Annual Report provides a comprehensive assessment of cost-effectiveness across all Community Supports authorized as ILOS, including those where long-term trends are still emerging. See this fact sheet for more information.
Program Updates
Los Angeles County Shows Growing Momentum in CARE Act Implementation
Los Angeles County reported an 85 percent increase in Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act petitions between November 2025 and March 2026, demonstrating how stronger coordination across behavioral health, first responders, and court systems effectively help connect more Californians to services. CARE is designed to provide a compassionate, structured pathway to stability for people with untreated or undertreated serious mental illness. It’s part of California’s broader effort to strengthen behavioral health services. Additionally, statewide CARE-related outreach has connected more than 4,000 Californians to services, even when a CARE agreement or plan was not the appropriate path. Learn more.
Expanded Licensing and Certification Portal
On June 24, DHCS expanded access to the Licensing and Certification Portal to include Driving-Under-the-Influence and Narcotic Treatment Program applications. The portal modernizes the licensing and certification experience by allowing providers to submit applications digitally, track application status in real time, reduce paper-based administrative burden, and communicate more efficiently with DHCS throughout the review process. Early results show the portal is improving the provider experience, helping some providers reduce administrative time by 80 percent and achieve outcomes up to 24 days faster than with paper-based processing. This expansion builds upon previous portal releases and supports the Mental Health for All initiative by bolstering care delivery and accelerating provider licensing. Please email any questions to BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.
Join Our Team
DHCS is seeking talented and motivated individuals to serve as:
- Deputy Director and Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals (OAHA). The Deputy Director and Chief ALJ oversees and has full decision-making authority for all OAHA program functions for DHCS, and is responsible for ensuring that all proceedings and decisions resulting from both formal and informal hearings are conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and all applicable laws and regulations. Applications must be submitted by July 16.
- Deputy Director, Audits and Investigations (A&I). The Deputy Director of A&I leads all aspects of specified A&I functions, which include, but are not limited to, investigations, financial audits, and reviews of departmental programs and expenditures. The Deputy Director of A&I also serves as an advisor to the Director and executive staff in matters of extreme sensitivity to the Department, its programs, and its provider and member communities. Applications must be submitted by July 6.
DHCS is also hiring for its Health Care Financing, Civil Rights, 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.
All-Comer Value Strategy Webinar
On July 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a public webinar on its Medi-Cal Value Strategy. Join DHCS to learn how California is advancing high-quality, cost-effective care. Value in health care means improving member health and wellness at the right cost. This webinar will cover the concept of value, how current programs and policies relate to value, and what DHCS intends to accomplish long-term to increase value. Information will be provided about both managed care plan and county behavioral health plan delivery systems and services. Please note that some participants may experience issues loading the registration page. If the site does not load on the first attempt, please refresh your internet browser multiple times until the page populates.
Hospice Benefit Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting
On July 21, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. PDT, DHCS will hold the hospice benefit quarterly stakeholder meeting to provide important updates about Medi-Cal-covered hospice services, including policy and system changes, as well as offer an open forum for questions and feedback. For questions or more information, please email MCHospiceClerk@DHCS.ca.gov.
What’s New in STIs: Testing, Treatment, and Prevention Updates Webinar
On July 23, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. PDT, DHCS’ Office of Family Planning will host the What’s New in STIs: Testing, Treatment, and Prevention Updates webinar (advanced registration required). This webinar will discuss available at-home testing options for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and cervical cancer, treatment updates for Mycoplasma genitalium and gonorrhea, and STI prevention updates for both sexually transmitted Shigella and doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP). For those unable to attend the live webinar, a transcript and recording, along with additional resources, will be available on the Family PACT website.
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 an overview on the Unsatisfactory Immigration Status (UIS) to Fee-for-Service transition (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 to receive 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 at 1500 Capitol Avenue (Auditorium), 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.
In Case You Missed It
Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference: Registration Now Open
Registration is open for the 20th annual Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Integrated Care Conference, which will take place on August 25-27, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach and Convention Center. This three-day conference is designed for behavioral health researchers, administrators, policy staff, advocates, and professionals in SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Early bird registration is available through July 31. For questions about the SUD Conference, please email DHCSPrevention@dhcs.ca.gov.