County unveils five‑year behavioral health strategic plan and reports initial crisis‑system expansions

County Behavioral Health leaders presented a five‑year strategic plan to the Board of Supervisors that lays out goals across prevention, community services, intensive outpatient care, crisis response and intensive residential services.

Deputy Director Frank Warren and Director Dr. Graber described year‑one achievements and near‑term actions: expanded mobile crisis services, opening of a sobering center funded for an initial year by SenCal, plans to enable Medi‑Cal billing for school‑based counseling, and efforts to align workforce and facility investments. “This is a foundation,” Warren said, describing steps already underway to expand access and formalize an access and crisis division.

Supervisors pressed staff on how CalAIM implementation and the recent Proposition 1 reforms to the Mental Health Services Act will affect county funding streams. Health Agency fiscal staff reported the county has caught up with Medi‑Cal billings for the year and is working to improve claims accuracy as new electronic health records settle in.

Board members asked for regular progress updates tied to the annual budget cycle; several suggested a more detailed implementation plan and measurable year‑one metrics. Staff agreed to return with budget‑year priorities and to keep the board apprised of CalAIM reimbursement developments.

What happens next: Staff will pursue grants, refine division formation for access and crisis services, and return to the board with proposed implementation steps and budget implications in the coming months.