March 12, 2020

The California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) has begun accepting applications for the second round of funding of the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant Program for Children and Youth (CY) Grant Program. The deadline to apply in this second funding round is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

March 5, 2020

Save the date for a live healthcare provider webinar on Wednesday, March 25 from Noon – 1 p.m. with:

February 13, 2020

The Office of the California Surgeon General and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will host a live informational webinar on Wednesday, February 26, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM. The webinar will provide an overview of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Aware Initiative, why providers should screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); the Medi-Cal certification and payment process; and screening tools, clinical protocols, and resources for providers.

January 16, 2020

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has posted an informational chart to provide counties with managed care model type definitions and requirements. The purpose of the chart is to aid Counties and Plans in understanding the different managed care model types and the requirements for each type.

This chart includes:

December 19, 2019

The California Department of Health Care Services has released dates for summits throughout the state with the purpose of providing education and resources pertaining to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), stigma reduction, and workforce engagement to address substance use disorder (SUD). The summits will take place January through February 2020.

Dates and Locations:

December 19, 2019

Significant progress continues to be made toward the development of the state’s Master Plan for Aging. In order to begin gathering written feedback from the numerous stakeholders involved in this process, the Department of Aging established a deadline of December 13 for initial comments and recommendations.

October 31, 2019

As utility-initiated Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) continue to impact residents across California, the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) has established a resource website, a nonemergency hotline, and PSPS resource guide for counties and communities during power shutoffs.

October 24, 2019

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released a funding application for the Healthy Brain Initiative.

September 19, 2019

August 29, 2019

As we near the end of the 2019 legislative year, CSAC continues to engage with several bill authors and sponsors to advocate for the best outcomes for counties. CSAC was successful in negotiating amendments on the two below bills that will allow us to remove our opposition.

August 22, 2019

This week, the Assembly’s Accountability and Administrative Review and Health Committees, chaired by Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris and Assembly Member Jim Wood, convened a joint informational hearing on the oversight and accountability of Mental Health Services Act Funds (MHSA).

August 15, 2019

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has posted the application and funding allocations for one-time Housing Funds for Whole Person Care (WPC) Pilots. The application was released to current Whole Person Care Lead Entities on Monday, July 22, 2019 and updated on posted on Friday, August 9, 2019 to their site. The application contains instructions for counties, the funding allocations, the methodology used, and a helpful list of deadlines.

August 8, 2019

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released the application and funding allocations for one-time Housing Funds for Whole Person Care (WPC) Pilots. The application was released to current Whole Person Care Lead Entities on Monday, July 22, 2019.

July 11, 2019

This week, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in a case that could determine the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).The Fifth Circuit Court could make its decision on Texas v. United States by the end of the year, but regardless of the outcome, the case is widely expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court in 2020.

Dr. Mark Ghaly, who has extensive county experience, was confirmed as the state’s new California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary by the Senate Rules Committee this week. CSAC was pleased to support Dr. Ghaly’s confirmation as Secretary, and the Rules Committee unanimously voted to forward a recommendation for confirmation to the full Senate.

May 30, 2019

May 23,2019

CSAC is following a number of budget-related items as the legislative budget process proceeds toward the constitutional deadline of June 15 for the Legislature to pass the state budget.  

The health and human services-related budget subcommittees of both houses have concluded their work, and the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee convened yesterday to approve their version of the budget proposal. The Assembly Budget Committee will meet tomorrow.

April 18, 2019

In a meeting on Tuesday with the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors, Governor Gavin Newsom affirmed the key regional role counties play in combatting homelessness and announced his Homelessness & Supportive Housing Regional Advisory Task Force. Led by one county leader and one city leader, the homelessness task force will work to get jurisdictions to plan and work together in order to have the greatest possible impact in their communities.

“I’ve long said regions rise together,” said Governor Newsom. “Cities, counties and continuums of care are all pivotal players in helping create long-term, sustained solutions to homelessness throughout this state. All of us need to have skin in the game, and we need to leverage every available resource – federal, state and local dollars – to fight homelessness across California.”

April 11, 2019

Over the past week, both the Senate and Assembly Budget Subcommittees on Health and Human Services have held hearings on the Governor’s Budget proposals for, and potential investments in, the child welfare system. The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA), working with county affiliates and other partner organizations, is leading the way on many of these proposed investments. CSAC is working diligently to convey our support for the below child welfare budget augmentation requests and shared our strong support at the recent budget hearings.