Resources to Assist County Boards with BHSA Implementation
Back to News
In order to help counties implement the changes required by the BHSA, the California Behavioral Health Transformation County Performance Accelerator was established by the California Department of Health Care Services.
As part of this initiative, the Knowledge Center was created to compile helpful information for counties on BHSA requirements. The Knowledge Center has four modules:
- Module One: Building a Performance-Focused Approach
- Module Two: Operationalizing Performance Management in Behavioral Health
- Module Three: Beyond Compliance: Contracting as a Tool to Drive Performance
- Module Four: Facilitating Governance and Accountability
Module Four was developed specifically to assist county supervisors with the information they need to understand how their actions and engagement can help drive system improvement. It outlines the key components of the BHSA and clarifies the roles of Boards of Supervisors and Behavioral Health Board members in supporting accountability. It also offers practical guidance on reviewing key planning and reporting documents, including the BHSA Integrated Plan, Annual Updates, and Behavioral Health Outcomes, Accountability, and Transparency Report.
The following resources are available under Module 4:
- A webinar recorded on June 4th: Facilitating Governance and Accountability: Module Guide 4
- Slides from the June 4th webinar.
- A Module Guide for County Supervisors.
- Resource 4A: Boards of Supervisors and Behavioral Health Board Requirements in the Behavioral Health Services Act
- Resource 4B: A Review Guide for Boards and Supervisors – Understanding and Evaluating the Integrated Plan, Annual Updates, and Reporting
In addition, staff from the Performance Accelerator are available to provide technical assistance to board members and staff. To request information, please follow this link.
Background on the BHSA
The Behavioral Health Services Act makes numerous changes to the previous Mental Health Services Act, including changes to the allocation of funding to prioritize services for people with the most significant mental health needs, while adding the treatment of substance use disorders, expanding housing interventions, and increasing the behavioral health workforce. It also enhances oversight, transparency, and accountability at the state and local levels.
The Role of County Supervisors in BHSA Implementation
In particular, there are two new elements of the BHSA that impact how county Boards of Supervisors oversee implementation:
- County Integrated Plan for Behavioral Health Services and Outcomes:
These three-year planning documents will provide a more comprehensive and transparent picture of all public local, state, and federal behavioral health funding. The first draft was due to the state on March 31, 2026 and the final plan is due by June 30, 2026 The plans will provide a budget of planned expenditures, reserves, and adjustments, align with state and local goals and outcome measures, and outline workforce strategies.
- County Behavioral Health Outcomes, Accountability, and Transparency Report:
Counties will be required to report annually on expenditures of all local, state, and federal behavioral health funding, unspent dollars, service utilization data and outcomes.