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Oakland Community Health Network outlines phased takeover of county crisis services from Common Ground
Summary
OCHN told the county it will phase into providing front‑of‑house crisis assessment and mobile crisis response in 2026 and transition crisis helpline and stabilization services by late 2026–fiscal‑year 2027, while cautioning that state PIHP rebidding and pending litigation could affect long‑term structure.
Trish and Dana, representatives from Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN), told commissioners that OCHN will transition certain county‑funded crisis services currently provided by vendor Common Ground into OCHN operations in phases beginning in 2026. They said the change will cover OCHN‑funded walk‑in crisis assessment, mobile crisis (distinct from co‑responders), a crisis helpline (separate from 988), stabilization services up to 72 hours and crisis residential services up to 14 days.
OCHN said the phased approach begins with 'front of house' services (lobby, crisis assessment and sober support) in spring 2026, followed by mobile crisis and, later in the year, the helpline and stabilization services. The presenters emphasized continuity of care, staff training, internal hiring plans (90‑day application windows for affected roles), and a side‑by‑side 15‑calendar‑day joint transition window for each program during implementation.
Budget and legal context: Presenters said OCHN serves about 30,000 people a year and that the state has proposed restructuring prepaid inpatient health plans (PIHPs) from 10 regional PIHPs into three regional entities. OCHN described pending bids and lawsuits tied to that RFP and warned that a state decision or court ruling could change the long‑term PIHP structure and local fiscal responsibilities: "We will remain a CMHSP, but the PIHP may change," a presenter said.
Board response and next steps: Commissioners asked about job fairs, staff retention, contract status with Common Ground and how the 15‑day joint transition window would work in practice. Commissioners recorded a motion to file and accept the transition materials. OCHN said it will continue stakeholder engagement, post transition job opportunities and share progress reports with the board.
