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Integrated Plans

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The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) County Integrated Plans provide an opportunity for communities to engage in the county community planning process to shape the behavioral health services provided.  Your lived experience as a consumer, family member, advocate or provider can provide a unique and valuable perspective that will ensure services in your community meet the behavioral health needs of those who need it most. 

What is an Integrated Plan?

The County Integrated Plan is a three-year plan required by the Behavioral Health Services Act that outlines how counties will utilize various behavioral health funding sources (i.e., BHSA, 1991 and 2011 Realignment, federal grant programs, federal financial participation from Medi-Cal, opioid settlement funds, local funding, and other funding) to meet statewide and local outcome measures, reduce disparities, and address unmet needs along the Behavioral Health Care Continuum. The plan must be developed through a transparent community planning process, approved by the county board of supervisors, and submitted via the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) web-based portal in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code §5963.02.

Integrated Plan Submission Workflow:

  • Conduct Stakeholder Engagement
  • Submit Draft IP with County Administration Officer Approval, Including Exemption and Funding Transfer Requests
  • Behavioral Health Board Reviews Integrated Plan
  • County Board of Supervisors Approves Final Integrated Plan
  • Submit Final Integrated Plan to DHCS and Behavioral Health Oversight and Accountability Commission

Source: Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan Template Version 1 (pg. 2)

Integrated Plan Submission Deadlines

All Counties must meet the same deadlines for submission of their Three-Year Integrated plans. These are statewide deadlines set by the Department of Health Care Services.  

Submission Requirements for Draft and Final Integrated Plan

I. Deadlines

  • Draft Integrated Plan: due March 31, 2026
  • Final Integrated Plan: due June 30, 2026

II. Activities Required Prior to Submission

Draft Integrated Plan
Engage stakeholders through the local Community Planning Process
Final Integrated Plan
Circulate draft IP for 30-day comment period
Conduct a public hearing by the local Behavioral Health board on the Integrated Plan
Behavioral Health Board reviews Integrated Plan and/or makes recommendations for revisions
Revise draft Integrated Plan, if requested by the Department of Health Care Services, within timeframes set in Chapter 3, Sections E.3 and E.4 of the policy manual  

III. Required Submission Items 

Draft Integrated Plan
Responses to every required item in the Integrated Plan and the Budget Template
Any Funding Exemption or Transfer requests
Certification from County Administrative Officer, Chief Executive Officer, or designee to certify compliance with fiscal accountability requirements and that all planned expenditures are consistent with state and federal law
Certification from county Behavioral Health Director to certify compliance with fiscal accountability requirements and that all planned expenditures are consistent with state and federal law
Final Integrated Plan
Responses to every required item in the Integrated Plan and the Budget Template
DHCS-approved Funding Exemption and Transfer requests
Certification from County Administrative Officer, Chief Executive Officer, or designee to certify compliance with fiscal accountability requirements and that all planned expenditures are consistent with state and federal law
Certification from the County Behavioral Health Director affirming compliance with all applicable laws, statues, and regulations
Approval and certification by the County Board of Supervisors, attesting that the county will meet its realignment obligations

IV. Post-Submission Review

  • County submissions may be flagged for further review by DHCS monitoring divisions. This process is not punitive; it provides an opportunity for DHCS to offer technical assistance, clarify policy guidance, or recommend plan revisions to better align proposed activities with state requirements.

Source: Table E.4.1 Submission Requirements for Draft and Final Integrated Plan

Contact Your Local County BHSA Coordinator

Find your Local County BHSA Coordinator in the County BHSA Coordinator Directory.
Find out if your county has started the Community Planning Process.
Learn where to find information about local planning activities. 
Get details about upcoming meetings and how you can participate.

For a more details on how and why to get involved, please visit the How to Participate in Your Local Community Planning Process one-pager.

BHSA Funding Infographics

These infographics created by the Department of Health Care Services help explain how services are funded. Understanding funding opportunities and requirements may help you advocate for individuals with significant behavioral health needs.

Resources 

For more information on the Integrated Plan process and how to engage, check out these resources from our state and community partners.