[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6260785,"mediaKeyId","3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7","parentId",3126991,"title","Commission backs staff recommendations on several bills; directs staff engagement on AB 96","audioSeconds",2942,"startMs",10260000,"endMs",13202000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7&start=10260&end=13202","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7/thumbnail_10260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260785/California/Commission-backs-staff-recommendations-on-several-bills-directs-staff-engagement-on-AB-96","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260785-85e53d7a66257ad1d890b78038d91f77/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436896&Signature=JJHJB~i~7h2uQksUIF5lrSc5eilMvcdlVfaToGCpZKY7lIqvfnQYGoJQm8vNgyYnzZMQWnC-osn2FTrEcl9GHeE~j4IkxN5mQ85FYybtfgm8bAHzZDKb~TpLhgeF~eANLeVjtjBLRK~Udth50dQrIGxak-MnXaBA4iVET~NUTi88I72mMKfcvWiPz3uQJ6q8nVISCjt-1nr1mupOKO9jUuo9d4eDVjO2TYVcTApghsImw0omyIwQFQIm8pkUaeGs2VfklyFjUJaSoZxdzM-CRCyYJmZPCNMwRaCfKYzjnu2C1iwCHqhaROK3UkBYsZSdG9fmUx3pDwmhUM5P564qtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission","date","2025-04-25T21:26:53.437Z","article","Staff presented a set of legislative priorities and recommended positions for the commission. After discussion, the commission voted on a package of bills and took the following actions.

Actions taken (summary):
- SB 320: Commission voted to support the staff recommendation (motion carried by roll call).
- AB 348: Commission voted to support staff recommendation (motion carried by roll call). This bill addresses presumptive eligibility for full service partnerships to reduce inconsistent county eligibility rules.
- AB 1037: Commission voted to support staff recommendation (motion carried by roll call). Staff described the bill as modernizing law to support evidence‑based, compassionate substance use care.
- SB 531: Commission voted to support staff recommendation (motion carried by roll call). Staff said the bill expands age‑appropriate mental health instruction to all students.
- SB 862: Commission voted to support staff recommendation (motion carried by roll call). Staff described this as a technical omnibus health bill and included a clean‑up for the commission’s name change in places where Prop 1 updated statutory language.

AB 96: Staff asked the commission to participate in stakeholder conversations on AB 96 (a proposal to allow peer support specialists to qualify as community health workers for behavioral health purposes). The author chose to make AB 96 a two‑year bill; staff recommended active engagement and directed the legislative committee to receive updates as the provisions are negotiated.

Why it matters: The bills touch on peer scope, FSP eligibility, substance use treatment, K–12 mental health education and technical statutory updates. Commissioners emphasized workforce and equity implications and requested that staff keep the legislative and program committees informed.

Ending: Staff will continue to brief the legislative committee; commissioners who have relevant affiliations were asked to note those per the Bagley‑Keene and political‑reform guidance in the packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission for Behavioral Health Meeting for April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission voted to support or take positions on five bills presented by staff, and directed staff to participate in stakeholder conversations for AB 96 (peer to CHW scope) as it moves into a two‑year cycle.","taxTitle","Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, Other State Agencies, Executive, California","taxId",76744,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260789,"Commission opens planning for $20M peer respite investment and schedules public input",395,5431000,5826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7&start=5431&end=5826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7/thumbnail_5431000.jpg","/articles/6260789/California/Commission-opens-planning-for-20M-peer-respite-investment-and-schedules-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260789-33653211bd675f0feeee232be06cf79b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436896&Signature=HoT5MH-VvcHMJNXtm14eXGZSqQwuMzcaKqgVro1bdBQD32hGzi47zkc5WOdL3RXvIqIMVJ-IyEbgZAze5QxXKHL-c53iSzu9wfHDZhAD2CtncGmEzmFIMmddICeeS6lzScPetHCAHi9umq7nvWdChJsB7ep8aZavlhWdNVM21UdFMEbyKnIZI1sxkUcuwgJjE6ozNTytPYPJDPeAWgAHfxOfTJxFop-9s1~xa23lOE6sfPDIFIUdLS4y4CIQf7kgM2cHvy3ItyzmNtij6dQQeYdfNmRNdKtEAjJsUY5BWbzp9g-SkJnNOnLpJS3bQdM3fl95OYi4Cu6EW0qW8H9Dgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commission for Behavioral Health announced the start of a planning process to guide a $20 million Mental Health Wellness Act investment in peer respites.

Staff described peer respites as voluntary, short‑term, community‑based residential programs led by people with lived experience. Dr. Melissa Martin Mollard (standing in for the project lead) said staff have completed an initial site visit to SHARE Recovery Retreat and plan visits to Sally’s Place (Alameda), Insight Peer Respite (Grass Valley) and Second Story (Santa Cruz). Research will include a literature review, key‑informant interviews and focus groups with operators and service users.

Initial issues staff will study include funding and long‑term sustainability; how peer respites fit in the crisis continuum and their potential to divert people from emergency departments and inpatient care; diversity of operators and equity impacts; links between peer respite and housing; and technical assistance needs for providers.

Timeline and next steps: Staff intends to hold a public hearing in July and return to the commission with a detailed project plan. A final policy paper and RFA development are targeted for October–December, with an applicant RFA to be presented to the commission for action in January.

Commission response: Commissioner Rachelle Chambers, project lead, emphasized the role of peer respite as a less‑restrictive alternative to hospitalization and urged commissioners to consider workforce, sustainability and braiding funding across BHSA, MHWA and managed‑care opportunities. Vice Chair Rowlett and other commissioners asked staff to investigate Medi‑Cal billing pathways, recidivism/return rates, facility ownership, and workforce leadership (peer representation in executive leadership).

Ending: Staff invited public input and signaled the commission will use site visits, stakeholder interviews and a public hearing to shape the RFA design later this year.","The commission launched a staff‑led planning project to use $20 million from the Mental Health Wellness Act for peer respites, including site visits, landscape research and a public hearing before drafting an RFA.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260794,"Commission reports offer made for executive director after closed session",213,8894000,9107000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7&start=8894&end=9107","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7/thumbnail_8894000.jpg","/articles/6260794/California/Commission-reports-offer-made-for-executive-director-after-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260794-bcd8d04372502e7e0f054e92c8d69338/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436896&Signature=keBuP3Eu5cFq2L1UAe7AMGRTJX1nsS5xRVSubGQzkubap6KRwe2B~CjziTE49TGWeBo~FBdeCHpDOdk6we0oCqNtGlw8J9CMnJRsftABFLSAlhWTgOsy94a~-YE5UrlPasLexpkQSlTBPe6LgbgtYGI~nLT5kPFrPE3CQfBpF32jzYhKrs28eX4a-kvcs4ZNlZdAiyUI4vN8Y5KccbrQ3nmm79hSiwF6uecvVK8HL-z8eWFDe0zc6h4qcJKtOpp~XkaLPsFQIBj1I1TpEqV-zdPLKXiUafqg5cc7o8A-eHN~qbyL~Az~GLc79aqFotsMvopRNxhsgoVJ-RgdHugecw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commission for Behavioral Health convened a closed session on April 10 to consider a personnel matter under Government Code section 11126(a). After the closed session, Chair Myra Alvarez reported to the public that the commission voted to offer the executive director role to a candidate.

The commission said it will keep the candidate’s identity confidential while the candidate completes background checks and reference verifications. The chair thanked the executive director screening committee, chaired by Commissioner Robinson, and the nine commissioners who took part in the screening process for the time they invested.

Why it matters: Selecting an executive director is a key organizational milestone. The commission indicated it will report back publicly after the candidate accepts and background/reference checks conclude.

Ending: Staff and commissioners expressed appreciation for the screening committee’s work and said a public update will follow when legally appropriate.","After an executive‑session personnel review, the commission reported it voted to offer the executive director position to a candidate; the candidate's identity remains confidential pending acceptance and background/reference checks.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260799,"Commission approves consent calendar; innovation proposals and multiple advocacy grants cleared",1128,2439000,3567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7&start=2439&end=3567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7/thumbnail_2439000.jpg","/articles/6260799/California/Commission-approves-consent-calendar-innovation-proposals-and-multiple-advocacy-grants-cleared","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260799-c6fad2a7e9d303de8c93d825f64a0c96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436896&Signature=i9lt8F8QHIiFRSRvmDR0YQ5lVtC-nLxpAEaiJtTEk6sK-k8c28boXs-vk1zo~VUkDzuBLo9L55CbPpinRSLgzDxV4xB6LfZ9KhyCGHG6zcmsresj15IxUgc8aHsTPaZtbW0apxoxwXzkjH7YVVn1P7kOEuRTmtVSs5GtOGc3NBQDrEpqLHexFiz8WWhRFWFyu5UU4zLEkk1KaywUyn8sGLk-X0GCe~sFzq8DVfugw5H6X9UExkcTLxkyx~JxgcsnAHv7nxxJazDAimCnmMImtWqSWWFfn3VoLc1vGStxt~nusmpRRb5efIsv5Shst-UmMcGoSO97Y6Gj6XE2zyQr8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commission for Behavioral Health voted to approve the consent calendar at its April meeting, clearing minutes from the March meeting, six innovation proposals and several notices of intent to award advocacy contracts.

What passed: The consent calendar included six innovation proposals (requests from Monterey and Mariposa to join a psychiatric advance directives Phase II collaborative; Orange County’s extension of an existing psychiatric advance directives collaboration; a Fresno outreach and engagement project for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness; an extension of Marin County’s Student Wellness Ambassador program; and a Ventura County project to expand collaborative care for children and transition‑age youth). It also included notices of intent to award advocacy contracts: immigrant and refugee advocacy (seven organizations: Asian Americans for Community Involvement; BPSOS Center for Community Advancement; Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants; El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center; Health Education Council; International Rescue Committee; Refugees Enrichment and Development Association); a statewide K–12 advocacy award to Youth Leadership Institute ($2,010,000); and an $18,000,000 set of awards in the 0–5 maternal behavioral health category (two small‑county CBOs at $2,000,000 each, two medium county CBOs at $3,000,000 each, two large county CBOs at $4,000,000 each — winners named in the packet).

Vote and procedure: Commissioner Bontrager moved and Commissioner Gordon seconded the motion to approve the consent calendar. Voting was conducted by roll call; the motion passed. Commissioner Jevon Wilkes registered an abstention for the vote. Chair Myra Alvarez declared the motion passed and thanked staff for the application review work.

Why it matters: The awards and innovation approvals direct resources to county and community partners for a range of prevention, school‑based and community access projects. Commissioners and staff emphasized the need for rigorous reporting and evaluation of funded programs and proposed creating a program committee to receive periodic reports and help troubleshoot grantee challenges.

Next steps: Staff said contracts and reporting expectations will be finalized and that the commission expects periodic grantee reports; the interim executive director described plans to align contract management and research/evaluation teams to produce useful performance information for commissioners.

Ending: Commissioners applauded the awardees and reiterated an interest in stronger county‑community coordination and upfront technical assistance to increase grantee success.","The Commission approved the consent calendar including minutes, six innovation proposals and notices of intent to award advocacy grants for immigrant/refugee, K–12 and 0–5 maternal behavioral health funding.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260803,"CalVoices urges stronger technical assistance and billing pathways for peer workforce",963,3629000,4592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7&start=3629&end=4592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3126991-bc641c23ac997f0ba978d5053cb6fce7/thumbnail_3629000.jpg","/articles/6260803/California/CalVoices-urges-stronger-technical-assistance-and-billing-pathways-for-peer-workforce","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260803-a37f447a47c68a313e3471365cc0262e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436896&Signature=LOjiw~yCnITp4yUp4vCuXTe7E9gn5t8NmOyzDnqUWwgAh8Dyqsjec7bkTRdRcI06acrt37qeOjd3c3GjKl27GvQnrgyaK2LnZkx8JoTMZnpzPWnCem0qNXRzowTi5A0H5nB3ATKt4KVDrTo9j~NIjUa-sy8llbgEww7g-UA8yLiBXilmEE2NGbR7N6T4yn-8rVdo6v8E-8~ou3unLfxRFvYDgyoTNodgd~VopQh8igHDBX5PFl~-J0iPUs-uZQYvte2Bs5gMyW00SJhhjvVkC8El02s34e9xNhnbYSsdIKG8chTIgJmr2meg~nN3v-ywQW7s7Hu989R-qdOdQjh9aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CalVoices, a consumer-operated peer organization, told the Commission for Behavioral Health on April 10 that California’s peer workforce and small community-based organizations risk being left behind as the state shifts services into managed care and the Behavioral Health Services Act.

The organization’s advocacy director, Claire Courtright, said CalVoices used an MHSA-funded grant to train clients and peers across the state and that its work revealed major gaps in billing readiness and organizational capacity. “Many peers are not Medi‑Cal certified and the brick-and-mortar programs that have been cash-financed outside Medi‑Cal are not set up for billing,” Courtright said, describing local wellness and recovery centers, drop-in programs and other consumer-run services that currently rely on non‑insurance funding.

CalVoices’ program manager, Nicole Chilton, and peer leader Angel Mercado described training, travel stipends and an annual conference that helped hundreds of peer workers and consumer leaders learn policy, regulatory changes and where to engage in local planning. They also said CalVoices drafted proposed regulations, pushed for a grandfathering clause to preserve MHSA‑funded housing during the transition to BHSA, and continues to pursue protections for peer-run services that are not easily medicalized.

Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public asked detailed questions about credentialing, reimbursement and workforce development because the state plans to expand community supports and managed‑care benefits under CalAIM and the Behavioral Health Services Act. Commissioners noted that service continuity for people who currently receive MHSA‑funded supports hinges on whether small organizations can obtain billing capacity or other sustainable funding.

CalVoices recommended: (1) continued commission support for advocacy grants that build consumer leadership; (2) targeted technical assistance so small, consumer‑run organizations can pursue Medi‑Cal billing or sustainable subsidy; (3) work to integrate peer roles across the continuum while protecting non‑billable recovery spaces that are essential to many people in recovery.

Commission reaction: Commissioners praised CalVoices’ trainings and recommended staff consider a landscape paper on peer support, workforce pathways and sustainable financing. Several commissioners said they want the commission’s program committee to review ways to connect small community organizations to managed‑care partners and county systems.

The presentation was followed by public comment from consumers and local board members who urged stronger county engagement in community planning and better funding for peer roles. Several callers and in‑room commenters asked that accessibility, language services and disability accommodations be part of any technical‑assistance strategy.

Ending: CalVoices asked the commission to continue funding and policy support for peer and consumer‑operated services as the state implements BHSA and CalAIM-related changes; commissioners signaled they will pursue follow-up, including a potential program committee review and written landscape analysis.","CalVoices told the Behavioral Health Commission that peer-run and consumer-operated organizations need technical assistance, funding stability and clearer Medi‑Cal pathways so they are not left behind as services move into managed care and BHSA funding streams.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission backs staff recommendations on several bills; directs staff engagement on AB 96

Commission opens planning for $20M peer respite investment and schedules public input

Commission reports offer made for executive director after closed session

Commission approves consent calendar; innovation proposals and multiple advocacy grants cleared

CalVoices urges stronger technical assistance and billing pathways for peer workforce