News and Events

For the latest information visit the CJBH Projects page.

CCJBH News and Events

CCJBH Diversion/Reentry Workgroup

When: February 10, 2023, from 3:00-5:00 PM

Where: Virtual via Zoom, register here

The CCJBH team will provide an overview of the 2022 Annual Legislative Report findings and recommendations related to Diversion and Reentry in California. The Council on State Governments (CSG) Justice Center will present “A Statewide Look at Mental Health Diversion” including an overview of past technical assistance activities and culminating recommendations.

View the Diversion/Reentry agenda.

Visit the CCJBH website to learn more.

CCJBH Juvenile Justice Workgroup

When: February 10, 2023, from 12:45-2:45 PM

Where: Virtual via Zoom, register here

The CCJBH team will provide an update on the Juvenile Justice Compendium and Toolkit contract with the RAND Corporation. The CCJBH team will provide an overview of the 2022 Annual Legislative Report findings and recommendations related to the juvenile justice system in California. RYSE will present on the R.E.S.T.O.R. program, a youth restorative justice diversion program in Contra Costa County.

View the Juvenile Justice agenda.

Visit the CCJBH website to learn more.

CCJBH Health Program Specialist I Position

CCJBH is seeking a Health Program Specialist I (HPS) – 1 limited-term position who will act as a highly skilled technical subject expert in support of behavioral and physical health care policies and programs. The HPS I will perform special projects related to program development and management, contract development and monitoring, and support the Council to identify best practices of program models.

This position is limited-term/full-time with the possibility of becoming permanent, and is posted until filled. Visit the CalCareers job posting to learn more.

Partner News & Events

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Renews Public Health Emergency

On January 11, HHS renewed the federal COVID-19 PHE for a full 90-day extension through April 11. The formal PHE declaration was posted on the HHS website.

On January 13, DHCS updated the Medi-Cal COVID-19 PHE and Continuous Coverage Unwinding Operational Plan to incorporate policy changes as a result of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 enacted on December 29, 2022, and corresponding guidance released from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the form of a CMCS Informational Bulletin on January 5, 2023. The updated plan reflects the de-linking of the continuous coverage requirement from the PHE as of April 1, 2023, setting the stage for the resumption of Medi-Cal redeterminations. The plan is intended to inform the public about DHCS’ approach to return Medi-Cal to a normal state of operations. The plan also includes additional resources, including information about the DHCS Coverage Ambassadors campaign and links to CMS guidance documents.

Behavioral Health

Deadline Extended: DHCS Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program Round 5 RFA

The Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 5: Crisis and Behavioral Health Continuum Grant Request for Application has been released and is now available. DHCS will award $480 million in projects to address significant crisis care gaps in California’s behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorder [SUD]) infrastructure, with consideration for funding priority to those that provide crisis services to individuals in need.

The application submission portal opened Thursday, November 3, 2022, and applications are now due February 13, 2023.

DHCS Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Justice-Involved Round 2 Application Deadline Extended.

DHCS has extended the application deadline for the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) PATH Justice-Involved Round 2 funding to March 31, 2023. The Third Party Administrator for the PATH initiative is integrating application updates from ACWDL 22-27 published on November 10, 2022, into the Round 2 application. The Justice-Involved Round 2 application will be taken offline until January 25, 2023, to complete the application updates. Anyone currently working on an application should wait to submit it when the application reopens on January 25, 2023. Additional information will be provided as soon as possible. Please email justice-involved@ca-path.com any question about the Round 2 application extension.

CalAIM PATH: Capacity and Infrastructure Transition, Expansion and Development (CITED)

DHCS announced the award notification of $119 million in total funding to help 98 local organizationsbuild capacity and infrastructure in Medi-Cal’s delivery system. PATH CITED funds will be used toward increasing the provider workforce, investing in infrastructure and IT systems to support the delivery of Enhanced Care Management (ECM) or Community Supports, developing plans to conduct outreach to historically under-resourced and/or underserved populations to engage them in care or other uses justified in the application process. Organizations are also invited to use funds to conduct community health assessments to evaluate and address existing gaps in ECM and Community Support services.

Community-based organizations, public hospitals, county agencies, Tribes, and other community providers are eligible to apply during the CITED grants Round 2 application window in February.

DHCS Advisor for Homelessness and Housing Position

DHCS is hiring a Policy Advisor for Homelessness and Housing within the Health Care Delivery Systems program. The Policy Advisor leads and coordinates the planning, development, and implementation of new homelessness and housing-related Medi-Cal policies across DHCS programs.

CalAIM PATH Technical Assistance Marketplace

DHCS has opened the virtual PATH TA Marketplace, which is a place for partners and potential partners to receive technical assistance services to support the implementation of CalAIM, including Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports. TA offerings include the option to request custom, hands-on technical support or to request off-the-shelf TA products, which are packaged and ready for implementation.

DHCS CalAIM Behavioral Health Administrative Integration Initiative Concept Paper

In January, DHCS will publish a concept paper on the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Behavioral Health Administrative Integration initiative, which aims to consolidate Medi-Cal programs for Specialty Mental Health Services and Drug Medi-Cal or Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System services into a single county-based behavioral health program by FY 2027-28. The concept paper will include an overview of the initiative’s framework and goals, the phased approach for implementation between now and FY 2027-28, and DHCS’ proposal for ongoing stakeholder engagement and technical assistance.

DHCS will accept stakeholder feedback on the concept paper through February 13. The concept paper will be available on the CalAIM Behavioral Health webpage.

DHCS Elevate Youth California (EYC) Request for Applications (RFA)

On January 16, DHCS released another EYC Request for Applications for community-based and Tribal organizations to build organizational capacity to implement youth social justice, mentoring, and peer support prevention programming in communities disproportionally impacted by the war on drugs. Funded by the Proposition 64 Youth Education, Prevention, Early Intervention, and Treatment Account, nearly $17 million is available, and organizations can apply for funding up to $400,000 each.

Applications are due on February 20, 2023.

For more information, visit the EYC website.

CARE Act Working Group Meeting

When: February 14, 2023, from 1:00-4:00 PM

Description: The California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), in collaboration with our partners at the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Judicial Council of California (JCC), will be hosting the first CARE Act Working Group meeting to provide coordination and on-going engagement with, and support collaboration among, relevant state and local partners and other stakeholders throughout the phases of county implementation to support the successful implementation of the CARE Act.

View the CARE Act webpage to learn more.

California Behavioral Health Planning Council 2022 Annual Report

The 2022 CBHPC Report is now available. This report outlines the Council’s accomplishments throughout 2022, including:

Taking positions on 26 pieces of legislation
The Release of the 2021 Survey of County Mental Health Patients’ Rights Advocates on Patients’ Rights Advocacy in County Jails in March 2022
Responding in writing to DHCS on 16 Behavioral Health Information Notices
Highlighting four County Mental Health Block Grant Programs during General Sessions at Council Quarterly meetings
Tracking Peer Certification (SB 803) Implementation
Making recommendations in writing to DHCS on various components of the CalAIM Initiative

For more information about the CBHPC please visit their webpage.

Ending Girls’ Incarceration in California Action Network Grant Opportunity

The Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) of the California Health & Human Services Agency (Cal HHS) and the Vera Institute of Justice have launched a competitive application process for a statewide technical assistance effort to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, the incarceration of girls in the state of California. With the input of OYCR, Vera Institute of Justice will select four California county probation departments, who will lead work in collaboration with local juvenile justice partners to develop county-specific, court-based policy solutions that will cut girls’ incarcerations. OYCR will provide grants of up to $125,000 to each site to support administration and coordination over the course of the first year. Counties with bold and effective plans can receive grants of up to $250,000 from OYCR to continue this work beyond the first year—funds that can be used to support probation departments to implement reforms and for community-based organizations to build capacity towards programmatic solutions.

Applications are due February 28, 2023, by 7:00 PM.

Vision the Cal HHS website to learn more.

The Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) is Hiring

The OYCR is hiring a Grants Management Specialist – Staff Services Manager I Specialist who will work under the County Coordination Manager. The Grants Management Specialist is responsible for researching, applying for, writing, and administering grants for OYCR. The position is also responsible for managing the disbursement of grant funds to local government and other organizations, as well as serving as OYCR’s liaison to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) related to the transfer of juvenile grants from BSCC to OYCR.

The application will be open until February 16, 2023.

View the CalCarrers website to learn more and apply.

MHSOAC EmPATH Units Request for Application

The Mental Health Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) has issued a Request for Application for the expansion of Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) units. The Commission will award six grants to licensed California hospitals that currently operate as acute care emergency departments to help build strategies to reduce unnecessary Emergency Department utilization and hospitals.

Applications are due February 24, 2023, by 3:00 PM.

Visit the MHSOAC website to learn more.

SAMHSA Webinar: Effective Behavioral Health Crisis Response

When: February 23, 2023, from 11:00 AM -12:30 PM

Description: This webinar will explore strategies for reducing, mitigating, and responding to behavioral health emergencies involving individuals experiencing homelessness. The featured panelists will discuss cross-sector provider coordination and integration and best practices for effectively responding to crisis situations. They will also provide community examples of cross-sector coordination to improve health outcomes, and offer tangible approaches to ensuring comprehensive, culturally responsive services.

SAMHSA’s GAINS Center Seeks Experienced Trainers to Participate in Trauma-Informed Responses Train-the-Trainer Event

SAMHSA’s GAINS Center is now soliciting applications from experienced trainers (individuals) who are interested in developing their capacity to provide trauma-informed training in their local agencies/communities via the How Being Trauma Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses curriculum. Selected applicants will learn to facilitate the training via a virtual Train-the-Trainer (TTT) event and subsequently deliver the training program in their local communities. While not a requirement to apply to this opportunity, this year’s selection process will place special emphasis on applicants who provide training to drug courts and/or reentry programs. Some preference will be given to applicants that serve marginalized and/or underserved populations.

Applications are due February 16, 2023.

There will be at least two virtual TTT events scheduled, with the possibility of a third, for April 26 and 28, May 15 and 19, and/or June 8 and 9, 2023. Please note the dates before applying and include your availability in the application as directed. If selected, you will be expected to attend one of these full 2-day TTT events virtually.

Click here to read more and apply.

2023 Mental Health Stigma Roundtable Discussion Series

Description: This four-part roundtable discussion series will feature people with lived experience, advocates, policy makers, mental health providers, community leaders, researchers, and media figures.

February 9, 2023, from 11:00-12:30 PST – Roundtable 3: The Role of the Media in Reducing Stigma (Register here)
March 2, 2023, from 11:00-12:30 PST – Roundtable 4: Paths to Reduce Stigma and Promote Positive Attitudes (Register here)

WISE U Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training

Training content is entirely online, delivered 50% Live & 50% Pre-Recorded over a two week period. Live training takes place Monday – Friday, between the hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM via Zoom. Now accepting applications for the following training sessions:

February 6-21, 2023
April 10-21, 2023

Click here to learn more and apply.

Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) Scholarship Programs

HCAI will be launching two scholarship programs on January 2, 2023, to build and support the behavioral health workforce. The Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program and the Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship Program both offer funding opportunities for behavioral health profession students. The applications for both scholarship opportunities will close February 24, 2023.

HCAI Peer Personnel Training and Placement Program

The Peer Personnel Training and Placement Program supports organizations that recruit, train, certify, and place peer personnel specialists in the behavioral health system. Applications will open on January 31, 2023, and close on March 31, 2023. View the Grant Guide and HCAI’s Behavioral Health Programs webpage for additional information.

HCAI Request for Information for Behavioral Health Training Development

HCAI has recently released a Request for Information (RFI), which will provide information to HCAI to inform the planning, design, development, and launch of the behavioral health training for non-medical and non-behavioral health professionals. HCAI may use the RFI responses to develop a scope of work for a potential future solicitation of services.

Applications are due February 24, 2023, at 3:00PM PDT. Please direct questions to Chantelle Parr (chantelle.parr@hcai.ca.gov). Visit Cal eProcure to view the RFI posting.

For more information, visit Substance Use Disorder Justice, System-Involved Youth (SUD/JSIY) Request for Information.

HCAI awards $59.4 Million in Social Work Education Capacity Expansion Grants

The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) issued awards under the Social Work Education Capacity Expansion grant program to support social work education at 23 schools. The grants support seven institutions developing new Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. The funding also supports the expansion of 16 MSW programs. Overall, the funding will add 860 more social work student slots in California. This new grant program is supported by the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) and the Workforce for a Healthy California for All package from the 2023 Budget Act.

Visit the HCAI website to learn more.

Crisis and Recovery Enhancement (CARE) MHSA Funding Series

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) provides funding to counties to expand and develop mental health services for children, transition age youth, adults, and older adults. Also known as “Proposition or Prop 63”, California voters passed the MHSA in 2004 to expand and transform mental health services in California to provide a better coordinated and more comprehensive system of care for those with serious mental illness and their families. The MHSA addresses a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention, and service needs and the necessary infrastructure, technology, and training elements that effectively support the public behavioral health system. This series will focus on how counties and communities can effectively use MHSA funds to effectively support a broad array of community services. Webinars in this series include:

Thursday, February 23, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST:How to Use MHSA Funding for Housing
Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST: How to Use MHSA Funding for Youth/Foster Care Services
Thursday, April 27, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST: How to Use MHSA Funding for Enhancing FSPs
Thursday, May 25, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST: How to Use MHSA Funding for Substance Use Disorder Services

Click here to register

Reimagining Our System: Lessons from the Field to Advance Recovery-Oriented Communities Virtual Conference

When: April 13, 2023, from 9:00-3:00 PM

Description: The CARE TA Center will be hosting a free virtual conference to explore opportunities to strengthen our systems of care by highlighting strategies and models for building equitable partnerships between counties and community. Topics will include community-based crisis care and justice diversion efforts in California, workforce development, and county-focused MHSA programming and administration.

FMHAC: Reimagining Perceptual Resources: Cultural Humility in Mental Health Services

When: February 27, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 4:15 PM

Where: Holiday Inn – San Diego Bayside

Description: The training will provide specific information on developing and nurturing an internal perceptual frame to inform our stance in working with diverse client populations. Trainees will receive information that helps them evolve a simple content formulation (i.e., cultural competence) into a dynamic process orientation (i.e., cultural humility).

Reminder: 48th Annual Forensic Mental Health Association of California Conference

When: April 5-7, 2023

Where: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Description: The conference will feature presentations from experts in the field of forensic mental health across five thematic tracks: juvenile, legal, sex offender, clinical, and Words to Deeds. The session topics have recently been announced and can be found on the FMHAC Conference webpage.

FMHAC: Differentiating Personality Disorders from Mental Disorders

When: March 13, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Description: Differentiating severe mental disorders from personality disorders can be among the more challenging tasks faced by psychologists. Diagnostic momentum from collateral sources, pathologizing instrumental behaviors in collateral sources, and symptom overlap among disorders can produce complications in explaining behaviors. It is important for those in correctional and forensic settings to understand why the distinction is critical. This workshop will address critical thinking in differential diagnosis, discuss skills that enable us to weigh the data we consider, access where the data converge, question where they do not, and impartially weigh information in the interest of achieving and communicating a thoughtful differential.

Transitions Clinic Network is Hiring

The Transitions Clinic Network is currently hiring for a California-based position. Please note that while all applications must be submitted through Indeed, potential candidates are welcome to reach out to Anna Steiner anna.steiner@ucsf.edu, with any questions. People with personal history of incarceration or who have been impacted by the system of mass incarceration, people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ communities strongly encouraged to apply.

Community Health Worker (CHW) Trainer: Seeking skilled trainer who is passionate about building capacity among a network of CHWs with lived experience of incarceration. This staff will support TCN’s Lead CHW in training and capacity building efforts and developing and sustaining relationships with community-based organizations, advocates and allied organizations. They will also contribute to other TCN initiatives focused on improving the health and reentry of individuals returning from incarceration. This position requires lived experience of incarceration. This position is currently remote with possibility of returning to office in San Francisco, CA. California-based applicants only.

Criminal Justice

Reducing Jail Populations: A Virtual Learning Series

In October, the National Association of Counties (NACo) released its County Guide to Reducing Jail Populations and Costs, a web-based toolkit with key policies and county examples for addressing local drivers of jail populations. Join NACo for a five-part virtual learning series that outlines key policies and features communities implementing impactful solutions that promote racial equity and reduce jail populations. Webinars in this series include:

February 2, 2023, from 11:00-12:00 PST – Reducing Jail Populations: Revisiting Technical Violations of Community Supervision to Decrease Jail Admissions and Length of Stay (Register here)
March 2, 2023, from 11:00-12:00 PST – Reducing Jail Populations: Decreasing Books and/or Arrests Through Diversion, Citations, and Warrant Avoidance and Resolution (Register here)
April 6, 2023, from 11:00-12:00 PST – Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism Through Jail- and Community-based Treatment and Services (Register here)

Visit the NACo website to learn more.

Housing/Homelessness

SAMHSA Grant for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals

The purpose of this grant is to provide comprehensive, coordinated, and evidence-based treatment and services for individuals, including youth, and families with substance use disorders (SUDs) or co-occurring mental health conditions and SUDs (CODs) who are experiencing homelessness. Community-based and private non-profit entities are eligible for up to $500,000 per year for up to five years.

Applications are due March 21, 2023.

Visit the SAMHSA website for more information.

Winter Symposium on Chronic Homelessness

The UC Center, Sacramento, will be hosting a series of webinars on mental health, homelessness, and incarceration. All events are available in person at 1130 K Street, Room LL3, or by Zoom webinar.

February 15, 2023, from 12:00-1:30 PM – “Seeking Solutions to Chronic Homelessness: A Panel Discussion” (register here)
March 1, 2023, from 12:00-1:00 PM – “Applying a Public Health Perspective to Improving Prison Conditions” (register here)

Application Posted for Second Round of Encampment Resolution Fund Grants

The Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) program has posted the application for Round 2 funding. Nearly $240 million is available for grants to fund projects that take a person-centered approach to providing housing and services to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in encampments, with up to $150 million prioritized for encampments on state rights-of-way. All California cities, counties and continuums of care are invited to apply for the grants.

Applicants are required to include a detailed service delivery plan that demonstrates a clear pathway to housing for individuals residing in encampments, while addressing their immediate health and safety needs. BCSH will begin accepting applications for ERF grants immediately and will continue to accept them until funding is exhausted, or June 30, 2023, whichever comes first.

The Notice of Funding Availability is online here.