Program Advisory Committee delays adoption of decision-making framework after public requests for more review

The Program Advisory Committee of the California Commission for Behavioral Health opened its inaugural meeting and discussed a draft decision-making framework, but the committee agreed to postpone adoption so the public and commissioners could review the materials in more detail.

The framework is intended to guide how the PAC will review grant proposals, research and evaluation reports, and public-facing accountability tools. "We would like to make a recommendation to adopt this framework," Melissa Martin Mollard, acting deputy director of Research Evaluation and Programs, said while presenting the draft. The committee did not take a formal action on adoption at the meeting.

The framework was introduced as a guiding tool to center equity, identify programmatic priorities, and align the PAC's recommendations with the broader commission's goals. Chair Gary Tsai, who chaired the meeting, and Vice Chair…