Home Services Mental Health Services Division CBHPC Systems and Medicaid Committee

CBHPC Systems and Medicaid Committee

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) often encounter multiple care systems and regularly face challenges with accessing the services they need due to the complex structure of California’s public behavioral health system. The Systems and Medicaid Committee (SMC) advocates for system integration to ensure persons with SMI have access to client-family driven, responsive, timely, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

The initial focus of SMC is on California’s Medicaid Infrastructure, as the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Initiative provides a framework for the Medicaid Section 1915(b) and 1115 Waivers, with the goal to identify and manage risk through whole person care approaches, address social determinants of health, reduce complexity and increase flexibility in the Medi-Cal system, and improve quality outcomes. It also aims to drive delivery system transformation through value-based initiatives and payment reform. Additionally, the SMC is focused on California Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT), an 1115 Waiver Demonstration that leverages federal funds to improve access and care for Medi-Cal members living with behavioral health conditions through the expanstion of a comprehensive continuum of community-based behavioral health care services. The Committee’s activities include exploring options for the future public behavioral health system, engaging with stakeholders, and influencing policy development for Medi-Cal. The primary focus is on access, continuity of care, and outcomes for individuals with SMI, children with serious emotional disturbance (SED), and individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), while addressing all levels of care. The committee will also examine the integration and intersection of treatment with the following systems:

Physical Health Care
Child Welfare
Juvenile Justice
Criminal Justice
Education
Vocational Rehabilitation/Employment
Developmental Disabilities
Aging

More Information on our purpose, mandates, goals, and members is contained in SMC Charter and SMC Work Plan 2024-2025.

Upcoming SMC Meetings

Quarterly Meeting

Date: June 18, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Riverside, CA
Meeting agenda to be posted no less than 10 days prior to the meeting.

Please visit the Systems and Medicaid Committee Meetings Archive page for information on past meetings.

Committee Documents

The Systems and Medicaid Committee has developed the recommendation letters below to support ongoing improvements within California’s public behavioral health system. These documents outline the committee’s analysis and recommendations aimed at strengthening access to services and enhancing the quality of care for individuals and families across the state.

CalAIM Recommendations Letter (March 2026)-a letter to the Department of Health Care Services regarding the CalAIM Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Renewal Application for 2027-2031.
Continuing the Transformation of Medi-Cal Concept Paper Letter to DHCS (August 2025)-a letter indicating that the committee will provide feedback on the draft CalAIM 1915(b) and 1115 Demonstration waiver renewals.
CBHPC Response to Draft 2025 Statewide Needs Assessment and Planning (SNAP) Report for the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Federal Reporting Requirement (July 2025)– a support letter for the draft 2025 SNAP Report for the block grant.
Draft BHIN for Adult and Youth Screening and Transition of Care Tools for Medi-Cal Mental Health Services Letter to DHCS (March 2025)– a recommendation letter regarding data use and sharing capabilities for the Medi-Cal mental health services adult and youth screening and transition of care tools.
9-8-8 Five-Year Implementation Plan Recommendation Letter (December 2024)– a recommendation letter for the 9-8-8 Five-Year Implementation Plan that aims to strengthen the crisis care continuum.
BH-CONNECT Addendum Letter (June 2024)– a recommendation letter for the proposed policies for the Community Transition In-Reach Services and Room and Board in Qualifying Residential Settings.
BH-CONNECT Letter (August 2023)– a recommendation letter for the proposed policies and programs in the BH-CONNECT 1115 Demonstration Waiver.
CalAIM Behavioral Health Administrative Integration Proposal Letter (February 2023)– a recommendation letter for the state’s proposed guidance for the CalAIM Behavioral Heaalth Administrative Integration Policy.
BH-CONNECT Letter (January 2023)– a recommendation letter for the BH-CONNECT Concept Paper that strives to expand capacity and the continuum of community-based behavioral health services in California.
DHCS Telehealth Policy Proposal Letter (March 2022)– a recommendation letter for the state’s proposed Telehealth Policy.
CalAIM No Wrong Door Policy Letter (January 2022)– a recommendation letter for a behavioral health information notice regarding the CalAIM No Wrong Door Policy.
CalAIM 1115 Waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (August 2021)– a letter of recommendations for the draft CalAIM 1115 Demonstration Waiver that was intended for submission and approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
CalAIM Recommendation Letter (May 2021)– a recommendation letter for the proposed CalAIM 1915(b) and 1115 Demonstration Waivers.
CalAIM Recommendation Letter (March 2020)– CalAIM Recommendation Letter (March 2020) – a recommendation letter for the proposed CalAIM Initiative, focusing on policies related to Medical Necessity and the Administrative Integration of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services.

Resources

The following section includes resources relevant to the work of the Systems and Medicaid Committee, such as proposals and reports, policy guidance, and webpages from external organizations.

Proposals and Reports

Continuing the Transformation of Medi-Cal Concept Paper (2025)– The purpose of this concept paper is to outline DHCS’ vision and goals for the next five years, including plans for advancing the renewal of the CalAIM waivers and other initiatives.
CalHHS Behavioral Health Crisis Care Continuum Plan (2023)- The future-state vision described in this Plan is an aspirational view of what the state’s behavioral health crisis care system could look like in the future, when all Californians at risk of – or experiencing – behavioral health crises can access quality care.
Youth at the Center Report (2023)- A call-to-action for a reimagined behavioral health ecosystem from children, youth, and families across California.