BH-CONNECT and the BHSA
The Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Initiative
The Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Initiative builds on California’s historic investments and policy changes to establish a robust continuum of community-based behavioral health services. It aims to improve access, equity, and quality in behavioral health services for Medi-Cal members with significant behavioral health needs.
To learn more about the BH-CONNECT demonstration, please visit the DHCS BH-CONNECT webpage.
The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)
The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), part of the Proposition 1 “Behavioral Health Transformation” legislative package approved by California voters in March 2024, aims to modernize California’s behavioral health delivery system, improve accountability and increase transparency, and expand the capacity of behavioral health care facilities. The BHSA complements and improves upon California’s other major behavioral health initiatives, including BH-CONNECT.
To learn more about the Behavioral Health Transformation and BHSA, please visit the DHCS Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Requirements Under BH-CONNECT and the BHSA
Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) are key components of both BH-CONNECT and BHSA. Key requirements and timelines related to implementation are:
EBP
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT)
- Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP)
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment
- High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW)
BH-CONNECT
- Services are available as Medi-Cal benefits at county option effective January 2025.
BHSA
- All counties must begin offering by July 1, 2026, working toward full fidelity by June 30, 2029.
- Clubhouse Services
- Services are available as Medi-Cal benefits at county option effective January 2025.
Not applicable
- Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
- Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST)
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
- Clarifies coverage guidelines for these services pursuant to the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit.
Not applicable
State law permits counties with a population of less than 200,000 to request exemptions from offering ACT, FACT, and/or IPS in their Full Service Partnership (FSP) programs under the BHSA. More information is available in the BHSA Policy Manual. While counties that receive FSP EBP exemptions are not required to meet any of the training, technical assistance, fidelity monitoring, and data collection requirements established in this manual for the respective EBPs, they are strongly encouraged to participate in the trainings and technical assistance offered by the COEs.