Committee forwards three behavioral‑health contracts after analyst clarifications

Michelle Ruggles of the Department of Public Health presented three retroactive contracts to provide behavioral‑health services across the continuum of care: Baker Place (~$55.4M), Seneca Center (~$40.5M), and HealthRight 360 (~$84M). Ruggles said the contracts follow a competitive solicitation and implement an "organized delivery system" established under a state waiver, allowing some residential treatment to draw down Drug Medi‑Cal funding and requiring evidence‑based care and outcome measurement.

The Budget Legislative Analyst recommended a clerical correction to the Seneca contract amount and recommended adding a five‑year extension option to the HealthRight 360 contract to match the RFP; the department concurred and accepted the BLA amendments. Committee members asked for concrete metrics to evaluate contracted providers; DPH staff described use of the CANS instrument (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths) for children's programs and the California Outcomes Measurement Survey for adult substance‑use programs, plus monitoring of housing, employment and recidivism indicators.

Public comment urged more funding for vulnerable populations. The committee accepted the BLA recommendations and forwarded the contracts to the full Board with a positive recommendation.