项目每年将服务7,665人
SACRAMENTO — As California continues to strengthen its behavioral health care system, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Safe Passages today celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new Community Wellness and Youth Prevention Wellness Center in Oakland. Funded by almost $9 million through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 4: Children and Youth, the center will offer community-derived models of mental health services to a projected 7,600 individuals annually in an outpatient setting.

“‘安全通道’社区健康与预防中心的落成,是对我们儿童和青少年未来的一项有力投资。“每个孩子都有权获得发挥自身全部潜能所需的资源,无论其种族、社会经济地位或是否存在残疾,”DHCS主任米歇尔·巴斯表示。“我们支持由社区主导的各项举措,旨在营造安全、治愈的空间,让年轻人能够获得茁壮成长所需的关怀、支持和机会。“该中心将成为早期干预和预防的重要枢纽,帮助儿童和家庭培养终身受用的韧性和幸福感。”
“安全通道”社区健康与预防中心:该中心将为阿拉米达县从出生到青年期的儿童和青少年提供心理健康服务,重点关注高风险群体。扩建后的中心将提供幼儿发展项目,由幼儿心理健康专业人员实施孕产妇服务和育儿教育,这些项目源于社区、基于研究,并已被证实为最佳实践。这些项目包括生活辅导项目、围产期及幼儿心理健康项目、亲子心理治疗、孕产期项目、育儿项目、处于过渡期的青少年发展项目、个体及团体咨询,以及职业探索课程。
“29多年来,‘安全通道’组织一直致力于打破我们社区中的贫困循环,并支持家庭和青少年参与制定属于我们自己的解决方案和道路,”该组织首席执行官约瑟菲娜·阿尔瓦拉多·梅纳表示。“这个健康中心是一个聚会场所和安全港湾,在这里我们可以建立社区、分享心得、共同成长。”
为何这很重要:加利福尼亚州近13名儿童和青少年中就有1名患有严重的情绪障碍。通过BHCIP计划,DHCS向符合条件的机构提供资金,用于建设、购置和扩建房产,以及投资移动危机应对基础设施,从而帮助社区满足日益增长的需求,并弥补长期存在的服务缺口。这些投资在农村社区尤为重要,它能确保人们无需长途跋涉,就能及时获得挽救生命的医疗服务。
BHCIP is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS is distributing up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS recently released the Proposition 1 Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs Request for Applications (RFA). Eligible organizations can apply for funding to construct, acquire, or rehabilitate properties that expand behavioral health services for Medi-Cal members and other Californians in need. DHCS will award more than $800 million in grants to support community-based facilities for mental health and substance use disorder care.
关于 BHCIP 第四轮:儿童和青少年: 作为“儿童与青少年行为健康计划” 的一部分 ,BHCIP第四轮 项目 不仅关注儿童和青少年,还涵盖所有25岁及以下的加州居民,包括孕妇和产后妇女及其子女,以及16至25岁的过渡期青少年及其家庭。这52项拨款总额达4.805亿美元,将用于新建和扩建多种类型的门诊及住院设施,包括儿童危机住院项目、围产期住院物质使用障碍治疗机构、社区健康/青少年预防中心,以及物质使用障碍门诊治疗项目。请参阅BHCIP 网站,了解有关赠款获得者的更多信息以及 BHCIP 各轮资助的更多详情。
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通讯办公室
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DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) today announced the availability of data showing that Medi-Cal Community Supports are successful and cost-effective. The data show that Community Supports are delivering on their promise to address Medi-Cal member needs—reducing avoidable emergency department visits, hospital stays, and long-term care use while showing strong early signs of cost savings. All 12 Community Supports studied are reducing costs, and of these, nine have already demonstrated cost-effectiveness within the initial study period. The remaining three are projected to reach that threshold over a longer study period, consistent with federal rules for evaluating cost-effectiveness.
“Community Supports represent a fundamental shift in how we deliver health care to Californians, enhancing quality of care for Medi-Cal members and strengthening the overall efficiency and equity of our health care system,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “These findings confirm that these services are not only improving lives, but also reducing avoidable health care costs. By scaling these supports statewide, we’re making meaningful progress toward a person-centered Medi-Cal system that meets members where they are and prioritizes prevention, dignity, and value.”
California’s Community Supports were approved in the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) waivers and phased in by Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCP) beginning in 2022. CalAIM is the state’s initiative to transform Medi-Cal to improve care quality, reduce complexity, and advance equity through data-driven, whole-person care initiatives.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Medi-Cal currently offers 14 Community Supports. These services promote housing stability, ease transitions from institutional settings, support in-home care, provide healthy meals, and offer caregiver relief, helping members avoid costlier hospital or emergency care. The report analyzed 12 of these supports to assess their impact on health and cost outcomes. These 12 out of 14 Community Supports were studied because they are authorized under California’s 1915(b) CalAIM waiver, which California is required to report on each year to the federal government.
DHCS submitted its annual 2024 report to the federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. It analyzes the impact of 12 Community Supports on member health care, including a new cost-effectiveness analysis for calendar year 2023. Key highlights from the report include:
COST-EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS: Research showed that 9 of the 12 Community Supports studied are already demonstrably cost-effective, and three are likely to be proven so over time, consistent with federal rules. Members using these services typically saw net reductions in (or offsets of) applicable service costs. Examples include:
The cost-effectiveness analysis may be understated due to the short evaluation period, resulting in immediate costs being fully captured but not longer-term savings. DHCS acknowledges that broader initiatives, like Enhanced Care Management, may influence these results. Future evaluations may refine these methods as more data become available, and an independent evaluation will be conducted in line with waiver requirements.
IMPACT OF COMMUNITY SUPPORTS: The expansion of Community Supports has increased access in rural and underserved areas, with health plans such as Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net, and Partnership HealthPlan of California leading efforts to introduce new services in both urban and rural counties. These three plans are among the largest in the state and demonstrated significant expansion of Community Supports in 2024, both in terms of the number of new services elected and geographic spread, particularly in rural counties. As a result, Medi-Cal members in all 58 California counties now have access to a broad array of Community Supports.
WHAT’S NEXT: DHCS released an updated Community Supports Policy Guide that is aligned with the Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports Action Plan. On July 1, 2025, the new Transitional Rent benefit will be optional for MCPs to offer, and will become the first mandatory Community Support on January 1, 2026.
DHCS 始终致力于扩大和加强社区支持,以更好地满足全州 Medi-Cal 成员的健康相关社会需求。加利福尼亚州正在继续其历史性努力,通过预防、尊严和稳定来解决全人护理问题,同时关注底线。这种方法已经产生了效果,特别是在减少可避免的医疗保健使用和改善具有多种复杂健康需求的会员的体验方面。
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通讯办公室
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DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
项目每年将服务3650名寄养青少年
SACRAMENTO — On May 16, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Sycamores celebrated the groundbreaking of Sycamores’ Children’s Crisis Continuum Program, a new behavioral health facility in Altadena. This transformative project will target gaps in the crisis continuum for foster youth across Los Angeles County, with the aim of addressing crises early to avoid escalation in care. DHCS awarded Sycamores more than $2 million for the project through Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), Round 5: Crisis and Behavioral Health Continuum.

BHCIP is a key component of Mental Health for All, California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
Just days earlier, on May 12, DHCS awarded $3.3 billion in competitive grant funding through the Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready awards. This historic investment is funding 124 projects across 42 counties to create or expand 214 behavioral health facilities across California. This investment will result in 5,077 new residential treatment beds and 21,882 new outpatient slots for mental health and substance use disorder treatment, bringing essential behavioral health services closer to the Californians who need them most, including those in the foster care system.
“We’re working to ensure foster youth with significant mental health needs are supported with the services they need,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “Organizations like Sycamores are essential to transforming how we respond to urgent behavioral health challenges. By bringing compassionate, community-based care directly to children and youth in need, they exemplify a behavioral health system that meets people where they are with dignity, support, and hope.”
SYCAMORES’ CHILDREN’S CRISIS CONTINUUM PROGRAM: This project will target gaps in the crisis continuum specifically for foster youth by creating a psychiatric health facility with eight beds and a crisis stabilization unit with 10 slots, projected to serve 3,650 individuals annually in an outpatient setting. This project will help support youth living in the community who are experiencing a crisis to avoid the need for a higher level of care in more restrictive settings. The programs are designed to give youth and caregivers tools to manage their crisis, including skill-building, psychiatric monitoring, psychiatry, therapy, case management, and medication management.
“With the groundbreaking of Sycamores’ new children’s crisis programs, our organization will be in the unique position of meeting the urgent mental health needs of thousands of children and youth in crisis throughout Los Angeles County,” said Debra Manners, Sycamores’ President and CEO. “Considering Sycamores’ long-standing reputation for providing compassionate, life-changing care, we are honored to be able to expand our services with the opening of our programs.”
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: More than 1.2 million adults in California live with a serious mental illness, and 1 in 13 children has a serious emotional disturbance. Also, 82 percent of Californians experiencing homelessness reported having a serious mental health condition, and 1 in 10 Californians meet the criteria for a substance use disorder. Additionally, shortages of behavioral health treatment sites contribute to rising rates of homelessness and incarceration among people with mental health disorders.
Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with co-occurring mental health treatment needs and substance use disorders. BHCIP is addressing historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need. DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 5: CRISIS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTINUUM: BHCIP Round 5: Crisis and Behavioral Health Continuum was developed, in part, through a statewide needs assessment that identified significant gaps in available crisis services. This assessment showed the need for a better system of crisis care to reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and incarceration. The 33 awards, totaling $430 million, are being used to build and expand crisis care and behavioral health facilities statewide and will serve vulnerable Californians of all ages, including Medi-Cal members. Please see the BHCIP website for more information about grant recipients and additional details about all BHCIP funding rounds.
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通讯办公室
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
你需要知道的是:得益于 1 号提案,今天的资金预计将为行为健康领域创造 5000 多个住院治疗床位和 21800 多个门诊治疗名额,并将建立在California其他重大行为健康计划的基础上。
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom announced $3.3 billion in grant funding today to create over 5,000 residential treatment beds and more than 21,800 outpatient treatment slots for behavioral health care services and will build upon other major behavioral health initiatives in California. Administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the Proposition 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1: Launch Ready awards will significantly expand access to care for Californians experiencing mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including those experiencing homelessness.
Here is a list of today’s awardees.
“Californians demanded swift action to address our state’s behavioral health crisis when they voted for Prop 1 in March 2024. Today, we’re delivering our biggest win yet. These launch-ready projects will build and expand residential beds and treatment slots for those who need help. Whether it’s crisis stabilization, inpatient services, or long-term treatment, we’re ensuring that individuals can access the right care at the right time.” ~Governor Gavin Newsom
When fully awarded, funding from Proposition 1 bonds is estimated to create 6,800 residential treatment beds and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots for behavioral health and will build on other major behavioral health initiatives in California.
Kim Johnson, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency: “Today marks a critical milestone in our commitment to transforming California’s behavioral health system. Through these awards, we are investing in bold, community-driven solutions that expand access to care, promote equity, and meet people where they are. These projects are a reflection of our values and vision for a healthier, more compassionate California.”
Michelle Baass, DHCS Director: “This is a generational investment in California’s behavioral health future. We are not just building facilities. We are building hope, dignity, and pathways to healing for thousands of Californians. These investments will significantly enhance our state’s capacity to provide timely, effective care for individuals in their own communities.”
WHY THIS MATTERS: The Bond BHCIP Round 1 awards will help to create a comprehensive behavioral health system, ensuring that individuals can access the right care at the right time, whether it be for crisis stabilization, inpatient care, or long-term treatment. As part of the state’s goal to reduce mental health crises, increase the availability of services, and support community-based solutions, these investments are vital in ensuring the long-term sustainability and accessibility of behavioral health services.
Through BHCIP, DHCS has competitively awarded grants to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure for behavioral health. Proposition 1, passed in March 2024, increases funding opportunities to expand BHCIP to serve even more Californians with mental health and substance use disorders through infrastructure development.
BIGGER PICTURE: California’s Mental Health for All initiative is modernizing the behavioral health delivery system to improve accountability, increase transparency, and expand the capacity of behavioral health care facilities. BHCIP supports the creation, renovation, and expansion of facilities that serve individuals with mental health and substance use disorder needs, with a focus on crisis care, residential treatment, and outpatient services. DHCS has already awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants.
There is a 7,000-plus behavioral health bed shortfall in California, contributing to unmet needs among people experiencing homelessness who have mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Bond BHCIP funding is estimated to create 6,800 residential treatment beds and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots for behavioral health and will build upon other major behavioral health initiatives in California. This investment will help address the behavioral health bed shortfall.
WHAT COMES NEXT: Today’s announcement represents the first of two Bond BHCIP funding rounds. The second round, Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs, will provide over $800 million in competitive funding awards for behavioral health treatment facilities and is open to all entities. Interested entities are encouraged to apply after the Round 2 Request for Applications goes live as soon as later this month.
Additionally, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will oversee up to $2 billion in Proposition 1 funds to build permanent supportive housing for veterans and others who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have mental health or substance use disorder challenges.
LEARN MORE: For more information about Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready, please visit the BHCIP website. Additional guidance on Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready and Round 2: Unmet Needs is available here. Visit the Behavioral Health Transformation webpage for updates and resources, including recordings of regular public listening sessions.
Here is a list of today’s awardees.
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通讯办公室
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
项目每年将服务3760人
萨克拉门托——随着加州继续努力加强其行为健康护理系统,4 月 18 日,卫生保健服务部 (DHCS) 和马克·吐温医疗保健区在卡拉韦拉斯县举行了新的危机和健康中心的剪彩仪式。该中心获得了行为健康连续体基础设施计划(BHCIP) 第 5 轮:危机和行为健康连续体的 330 多万美元资助,将提供紧急心理健康护理、药物滥用障碍治疗和早期干预,每年为 3760 名居民提供服务。

“投资行为健康基础设施是确保每个加州人——无论他们住在哪里——都能获得及时、公平和高质量的护理的关键一步,” DHCS 主任 Michelle Baass说。“我们很高兴能够支持马克·吐温医疗保健区,因为它正在扩展重要的服务,这将加强社区健康,并支持个人走上康复之路。将医疗服务送到家附近有助于
危机升级
并加强人们赖以生存的本地支持网络。马克·吐温医疗保健区:扩建后的危机和健康中心预计每年可为 3,760 人提供服务。该中心将提供门诊行为健康治疗,包括心理治疗、药物管理和精神科急诊护理。此外,该项目还将与青年组织合作
提供早期干预服务
旨在预防失业、无家可归、药物滥用和监禁。“卡拉韦拉斯县的患者得不到应有的服务,经常被限制行动或监禁,即使他们完成了学业,也经常与司法部门有牵连,”马克·吐温医疗保健区首席执行官兰迪·斯马特说。“我们的社区认识到这些后果是可以预防和治疗的,但迫切需要更多资源。我们县有决心、有领导力、有远见,致力于建立一个门诊危机中心和预防中心,这将是满足行为健康护理需求的关键一步。”
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: BHCIP is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure, helping communities meet rising demand and close historic service gaps. These investments are especially critical in rural communities, ensuring people can access timely, life-saving care without having to travel long distances.
关于 BHCIP 第 5 轮:危机与行为健康连续体: BHCIP 第 5 轮:危机和行为健康连续体,部分是通过全州范围的需求评估制定的,该评估确定了现有危机服务方面的重大差距。这项评估表明,需要建立更好的危机护理系统,以减少急诊就诊、住院和监禁次数。这 33 项奖项,总额达 4.3 亿美元,将用于在全州范围内建设和扩建危机护理和行为健康设施,并将为包括 Medi-Cal 会员在内的所有年龄段的加州人提供服务。请访问BHCIP 网站,了解有关资助对象的更多信息以及所有 BHCIP 资助轮次的更多详细信息。
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DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
项目将扩大 40 张床位,每年为近 1,000 名儿童和个人提供服务
SACRAMENTO — On April 4, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Kedren celebrated the groundbreaking of Kedren South-Psychiatric Acute Care Hospital & Children’s Village to serve the South Los Angeles community. This transformative project will provide a comprehensive system of care and support for children and youth experiencing significant mental health challenges—all in one location. It is funded by DHCS’ Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 4: Children and Youth and will serve as an integrated “Village Care” model designed for children and their families to receive their services.

DHCS awarded Kedren more than $57 million through BHCIP, which is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
“The Kedren Children’s Village represents a critical resource in ensuring the well-being and future of our state’s most at-risk children. By prioritizing funding for this campus, California has reinforced its commitment to being a leader in providing high-quality, compassionate care that supports the mental and physical health of children in need,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “Kedren’s comprehensive approach to mental and physical health care aligns with our vision for a healthier, more resilient future for all children in California. It is an investment not just in their lives, but in the strength and prosperity of our communities.”
Kedren South-Psychiatric Acute Care Hospital & Children’s Village: This project was awarded more than $57 million through BHCIP. The facility will provide life-changing care for children and youth suffering from mental illness, trauma, and other behavioral health challenges. The BHCIP-funded portion of the new campus will consist of an acute psychiatric hospital with 24 beds (will serve more than 520 individuals annually), a children’s crisis residential program with 8 beds (will serve nearly 300 children annually), and a psychiatric health facility with another 8 beds (will serve nearly 100 individuals annually). In addition to the BHCIP grant, part of the campus will have two buildings – funded with Mental Health Services Act funds – to include children’s outpatient services and provide transitional housing for children experiencing mental difficulties and their families for up to 18 months.
“For nearly 60 years, Kedren has been committed to eliminating health disparities in South Los Angeles by expanding access to care,“ said Kedren CEO Gregory Polk. “The Children’s Village will be the first of its kind in the nation, providing a full continuum of mental health care for children and youth on one campus. We are looking forward to providing these needed and valuable resources for our community.”
Kedren will offer a myriad of evidence-based therapies, including individual, group, family, recreational, occupational, and play. Staff will tailor treatments for each child with a mix of individual psychotherapy, behavioral modification, family counseling, and psychotropic medications. Kedren will also provide specialized assessments, such as psychological testing and occupational therapy assessments.

“The challenges we face in behavioral health are significant, but today, we demonstrate our collective commitment to building a strong, comprehensive system of care that will improve lives for years to come,” said Baass.
“Thanks to BHCIP, trusted community providers like Kedren will finally have the facilities and resources to provide essential services across the continuum of care, enabling individuals to receive the right care at the right time in the right setting with providers they trust.”
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: BHCIP is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with co-occurring mental health treatment needs and substance use disorders. BHCIP is addressing historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need.
DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 4: CHILDREN AND YOUTH:BHCIP Round 4, part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, focuses on Californians ages 25 and younger, including pregnant and postpartum women and their children and transition-age youth ages 18-25, along with their families. The 52 awards totaling $480.5 million allow for new construction and expansion of multiple outpatient and residential facility types, including children’s crisis residential programs, perinatal residential substance use disorder facilities, community wellness/youth prevention centers, and outpatient treatment for substance use disorder.
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通讯办公室
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
奖项将支持斯坦尼斯劳斯县和文图拉县的当地紧急医疗服务机构
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) awarded $800,000 to two Local Emergency Medical Service Agencies to foster low-barrier access to clinically proven opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment for patients in an emergency medical services (EMS) setting who are at risk of overdose and often do not have access to services in other settings.
“This is an innovative and lifesaving approach to address the opioid crisis. By equipping emergency medical service providers to render treatment in the field, we are meeting patients where they are and connecting them with ongoing care. This program has the potential to reduce opioid-related deaths and improve long-term health outcomes for some of California’s most vulnerable people,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass.
The grants—awarded through the Emergency Medical Services Buprenorphine Use Pilot Program (EMSBUP) to the Stanislaus County EMS Agency and Ventura County EMS Agency—will enable these two agencies to address substance use disorder as a treatable emergency condition, utilizing paramedics to identify and treat patients who would benefit from medications for addiction treatment (MAT). MAT is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, which is effective in treating OUDs and helping some people sustain recovery.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: The EMSBUP has pioneered a cutting-edge approach for delivering MAT through EMS. The population served by EMS has a high risk of death from overdose. In a study of 12,000 patients who received naloxone from EMS, 10 percent died within the following year. Another study found that one-third of all patients who died from unintentional overdose had contact with EMS in the year preceding their death. With an estimated 26,000 911 calls for overdose in California, EMS is a critical and underutilized intervention point for expanding access to MAT, delivering harm reduction, and connecting patients with care.
GRANT AWARDS: This program will assist EMS providers in coordinating with navigators to provide linkages to care options for EMS patients with an OUD and provide a system for patients who sign out against medical advice to have access to outpatient treatment options. The project will run from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2027. It will also collect de-identified data for research and monthly performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment model.
Additionally, resources will be provided to Local Emergency Medicine Service Agencies to support the initiation and sustainability of this treatment model, which includes a naloxone distribution program, EMS-initiated first dose of buprenorphine, and substance use navigation.
GRANTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Through State Opioid Response (SOR) grant funding, EMSBUP builds upon an initial SOR-funded project in Contra Costa County in 2020 in which 260 paramedics were trained to identify and treat OUD from an ambulance, more than 2,000 patients were screened for OUD, 120 received buprenorphine in the field, and 55 were connected to ongoing MAT. The results of this work encouraged other counties to adopt the model. To date, this model has been extended to 11 LEMSAs covering 13 counties to train 1,300 paramedics.
“Buprenorphine administration by EMS provides a high-risk population with access to buprenorphine at a critical and ideal time to receive buprenorphine – post overdose, when patients are in withdrawal and may be more inclined to accept treatment. EMS-administered buprenorphine brings treatment to patients versus patients having to seek out treatment, which has the potential to reduce fatal overdose, reduce crime rates, and save lives. With the right teams in place, patients can start buprenorphine in the field, get connected to emergency services, start feeling better within a few hours. and continue buprenorphine treatment through MAT programs after being discharged from the emergency department,” said Phoebe Blaschak Oliveira, RN, PHN, BSN, Public Health Nurse Program Manager, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Choosing Change Clinic.
BIGGER PICTURE: In 2023, Governor Newsom launched his Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis, which provides a comprehensive framework to address the opioid and fentanyl crisis, including aggressive steps to support overdose prevention efforts, hold the opioid pharmaceutical industry accountable, crack down on drug trafficking, and raise awareness about the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl.
The EMSBUP is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is part of DHCS’ broader efforts to address substance use disorders, collectively known as the California DHCS Opioid Response, to increase access to MAT, reduce unmet treatment need, and reduce opioid overdose-related deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment, and recovery activities. The California DHCS Opioid Response focuses on populations with limited MAT access, including youth, people in rural areas, and American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal communities. For more information, please visit the DHCS website.
DHCS also created the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) to combat opioid overdose-related deaths throughout California. The NDP aims to reduce opioid overdose deaths through the provision of free naloxone. For more information about the state’s opioid response, visit opioids.ca.gov.
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通讯办公室
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), under the direction of Governor Gavin Newsom, this month applied to the Center for Medicaid and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the groundbreaking Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model. If approved, this multi-year initiative will expand Medi-Cal members’ access to lifesaving gene therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD), a severe genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects people of African descent.
“California’s application to participate in this federal model reflects our commitment to expanding access to groundbreaking treatments for Medi-Cal members with sickle cell disease,” said State Medicaid Director Tyler Sadwith. “These therapies have the potential to transform lives, and this initiative helps ensure that cost is not a barrier for Californians who need them most.”
WHY THIS MATTERS: More than 50 percent of individuals with SCD are covered by Medicaid in the United States. By participating in the CGT Access Model, California will:
“通过扩大这些变革性疗法的可及性,加利福尼亚州正在引领解决健康不平等问题、提高预期寿命,并确保患有镰状细胞病的Medi-Cal参保人获得最佳护理,”萨德威斯表示。
关于CGT治疗模式:基因疗法是治疗镰状细胞病的一种开创性方法。该疗法通过改造患者自身的造血干细胞,帮助机体产生健康的红细胞。研究表明,这种一次性治疗可减少严重疼痛发作,并有望预防并发症,从而改善镰状细胞病患者的生活质量。
However, these therapies come with extraordinary costs, making access difficult for patients and Medicaid programs, including Medi-Cal. The CGT Access Model addresses this challenge by using a negotiated rebate system that ties payments for these treatments to patient outcomes. If the therapy does not meet expected health improvements, drug manufacturers will provide rebates to Medicaid programs, helping ensure financial sustainability while expanding access to care.
Initially, the model will focus on gene therapies for SCD, a condition affecting more than 100,000 individuals nationwide, including more than 8,000 Medi-Cal/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members in California.
If California is approved, eligible Medi-Cal members will have access to gene therapy treatment, case management, travel assistance, behavioral health support, and fertility preservation services, as the treatment process involves chemotherapy, which can impact fertility. CMS anticipates testing the model over an 11-year performance period, beginning on January 1, 2025.
BIGGER PICTURE: In addition to applying for the CGT Access Model, California was selected earlier this year for the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model, which aims to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce costs, and is transforming Medi-Cal through its California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) waiver, which focuses on whole-person care, care management, and addressing social drivers of health—strengthening efforts to create a more inclusive and effective health system.
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通讯办公室
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
预计每年服务近 2,000 人的项目
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Mentis are expanding outpatient services for people with mental health needs in Napa County. Just eight months ago, DHCS and Mentis broke ground on the Napa Valley Youth Wellness Campus, supported by Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program funding totaling more than $4.7 million.
On March 5, DHCS and Mentis celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new outpatient community mental health clinic and community wellness/youth prevention center, which opened for services and includes 121 new treatment slots and will serve nearly 2,000 people annually.
“DHCS is committed to working with partners like Mentis to rapidly expand mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for California youth,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “BHCIP continues to address historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need.”

纳帕谷青少年健康校园项目剪彩
NAPA VALLEY YOUTH WELLNESS CAMPUS: This project will serve the behavioral, mental, and emotional needs of children and youth in Napa Valley and their families. The project involves rehabilitating an existing private middle school campus building to incorporate a supportive art studio, community space, and therapy rooms. Services include children and youth wellness prevention activities, mental health treatment, group therapy and/or family activities, and individual therapy sessions. Programs are offered in English and Spanish and are free and accessible for all. Located within walking distance of three high schools, the campus’ continuum of care is intended to attract a diverse youth population, including youth of color and LGBTQIA+ and justice-involved youth.
“Our community clinic and youth wellness campus will provide much-needed support to youth who continue to struggle with life’s stresses,” said Mentis Executive Director Rob Weiss. “We are eager to expand our continuum of care to serve children and youth with a wide spectrum of needs, and we are grateful to DHCS for making this vision possible.”
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: BHCIP is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026. Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with co-occurring mental health treatment needs and substance use disorders.
DHCS has awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS holds regular public listening sessions on this effort. Updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the online.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 4: CHILDREN AND YOUTH:BHCIP Round 4 focused on Californians ages 25 and younger, including pregnant and postpartum women and their children and youth ages 16-25, along with their families. Through funding made possible by California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, the 52 awards totaling $480.5 million allowed for new construction and expansion of multiple outpatient and residential facility types, including children’s crisis residential programs, perinatal residential substance use disorder facilities, community wellness/youth prevention centers, and outpatient treatment for substance use disorders. Please see the BHCIP website for more information about grant recipients and additional details about all BHCIP funding rounds.
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通讯办公室
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov
项目将包括 37 张新的急性精神病住院床位
SACRAMENTO — On February 19, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center broke ground on Gateways’ youth expansion project in Los Angeles County. The project, funded by Round 4 of DHCS’ Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), will focus on youth with serious emotional or behavioral problems experiencing an acute psychiatric emergency.

DHCS awarded Gateways more than $19 million through BHCIP, which is part of California’s ongoing commitment to expand behavioral health services for all Californians. With the passage of Proposition 1, even more behavioral health treatment facilities will be funded and built in 2025 and 2026.
“This groundbreaking is a significant step forward in our commitment to provide specialized care to youth facing acute mental health challenges,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “By expanding access to comprehensive care, we are fostering an environment where all young people can receive the care and support they deserve to thrive.”
GATEWAYS YOUTH EXPANSION PROJECT: Most of the youth to be served by the project have experienced traumatic events or adverse childhood experiences or are involved with child welfare services. Gateways is adding 37 inpatient beds for adolescents to the acute psychiatric hospital’s existing 55 inpatient beds serving adults and adolescents.
“There is an urgent need to provide support for youth facing mental health crises,” said Gateways Hospital CEO Dr. Phil Wong. “We commend California for prioritizing these funds to focus on youth mental health by expanding infrastructure capacity to help shift the tide. Our team is pleased to break ground on our expansion so we can start serving youth in need of these vital services.”
In addition to traditional health care, the expanded facility will allow youth to receive multiple therapeutic services and participate in activities designed to build autonomy and help them transition to outpatient services. These services will include individual and group therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, mentalization-based therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and biofeedback. Youth housed in the unit will receive multiple therapeutic services, including family therapy and medical counseling.
Finally, youth presenting with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and youth with co-occurring alcohol and drug disorders will receive nutritional counseling, have their physical health closely monitored, and receive medication management.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: Through BHCIP, DHCS awards eligible entities funding to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure to further expand the range of community-based behavioral health treatment options for people with co-occurring mental health treatment needs and substance use disorders. BHCIP is addressing historic gaps in the behavioral health care system to meet the growing demand for services and supports throughout the lifespan of people in need.
DHCS awarded $1.7 billion in BHCIP competitive grants. In addition, DHCS will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive Bond BHCIP funding, including $3.3 billion for Round 1: Launch Ready grants as part of Behavioral Health Transformation, DHCS’ work to implement Proposition 1. DHCS holds regular public listening sessions on this effort. Updates and recordings of the sessions are available on the Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
ABOUT BHCIP ROUND 4: CHILDREN AND YOUTH: BHCIP Round 4, through funding made possible by California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, focuses on Californians ages 25 and younger, including pregnant and postpartum women and their children and transition-age youth ages 18-25, along with their families. The 52 awards totaling $480.5 million allow for new construction and expansion of multiple outpatient and residential facility types, including children’s crisis residential programs, perinatal residential substance use disorder facilities, community wellness/youth prevention centers, and outpatient treatment for substance use disorder. For more information, please visit the BHCIP website.
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通讯办公室
(916) 440-7660
DHCSPress@dhcs.ca.gov