FAQs
The following are frequently asked questions related to the Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence (COE).
For questions related to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) initiative Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) overlap, please reference the BHSA and BH-CONNECT EBP Overlap FAQ document.
For questions related to the BH-CONNECT initiative, please review the BH-CONNECT FAQ page.
Have a question or comment? Please reach out to us to share your questions and feedback. We value your expertise and experience.
Search the Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, counties must provide HFW under the BHSA, as described in the BHSA Policy Manual. Additional guidance on Medi-Cal requirements for HFW is also forthcoming from DHCS.
Topics:
- High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) ,
- Other California Behavioral Health Initiatives
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CSC is appropriate for any individual for whom the service is medically necessary. Past research indicates that in most cases, CSC is appropriate for adolescents and young adults up to age 40; however, DHCS recognizes that in some cases CSC is appropriate for older adults. If a county opts to cover CSC under Medi-Cal, CSC must be available to all members for whom it is medically necessary. More information about service criteria for CSC is in the BH-CONNECT EBP Policy Guide.
Topics:
- Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP)
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Clubhouse Services is an optional Medi-Cal benefit that is not required under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). There is no deadline to opt in to provide Clubhouse Services under Medi-Cal. Additional information about how counties can opt in to cover Clubhouse Services and other optional Medi-Cal benefits under BH-CONNECT is available in BHIN 25-009.
Topics:
- Clubhouse Services ,
- Policy/Advocacy
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Yes, all ACT and FACT teams must meet training and fidelity monitoring standards. DHCS is developing guidance that outlines training and fidelity monitoring requirements for counties and EBP practitioners.
Topics:
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) ,
- Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT)
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Yes, PCIT International will support providers in understanding infrastructure and equipment needs for PCIT. The Implementation Specialist assigned to the provider agency will assist in tailoring the technology recommendations to the particular agency. There are a variety of options and price points for “PCIT Suites,” from observation windows to video observation to telehealth platforms, as well as for bug-in-the-ear devices and toys. PCIT International will work with each provider agency to find the best fit for their practice.
Topics:
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
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Staff turnover is common. FFT LLC would not stop certifying a team if it loses staff as long as it continues to meet the team size standards (three to eight therapists) by hiring new staff. FFT LLC will offer weekly virtual “Replacement Training” for any new staff hired that will be joining an already trained and certified FFT LLC team.
Topics:
- Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
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Yes. Based on the body of research including an independent study that evaluated the effectiveness of MST when delivered without the agency and team receiving ongoing continuous quality improvement (CQI) and quality assurance (QA) processes, there is clear evidence that the ongoing CQI and QA processes are vital to model implementation and in obtaining sustained treatment gains.
Topics:
- Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
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The MST inclusionary and exclusionary criteria are based on the youth involved in the initial randomized studies of MST, which were 12-17 years old; therefore, this is the population that the model is demonstrated to successfully treat. However, there are occasions when a youth outside of our age range can be successful in MST. This exception process, facilitated by the MST expert in collaboration with the team supervisor and referrer, assesses if the problematic behavior and other systems variables meet the inclusionary criteria of the model other than the age range. This assessment progress is completed quickly upon referral, so the youth can either begin MST treatment quickly or be referred to a better suited program. MST’s aim is to ensure providers can serve all youth and their ecology who would benefit from MST while also ensuring the model is the best fit for the client.
Topics:
- Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
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DHCS has contracted with the COEs to provide training, technical assistance, fidelity monitoring, and data collection support. Training and support are free of charge for counties and behavioral health providers that serve the Medi-Cal and/or uninsured population. COE support is available to counties and providers beginning in August 2025.
Topics:
- Behavioral Health Plan (BHP) ,
- Centers of Excellence ,
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
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Yes, COEs will support county-operated and county-contracted behavioral health practitioners that serve the Medi-Cal and/or uninsured populations. COEs will work with counties to identify practitioners to participate in training, technical assistance, and fidelity monitoring for each Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).
Topics:
- Behavioral Health Plan (BHP) ,
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
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Yes, the EIF will need to be submitted even if the county is receiving training and technical assistance from the designated COE.
Topics:
- Behavioral Health Plan (BHP) ,
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
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County behavioral health agency directors or designees should submit an Engagement Initiation Form (EIF) to initiate a consultation with one or more COEs. The county contact will receive a follow-up email from the respective COE to schedule consultation within three business days.
Topics:
- Behavioral Health Plan (BHP) ,
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
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Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Forensic ACT (FACT), Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP), Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment, and High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) are included in both BH-CONNECT and the BHSA.
As part of BH-CONNECT, DHCS received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover Clubhouse Services as a Medi-Cal benefit. DHCS is also clarifying Medi-Cal coverage requirements for Multisystemic Therapy (MST), Functional Family Therapy (FFT), and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) under BH-CONNECT. There are no EBPs required under the BHSA that are not also part of the BH-CONNECT initiative.
Topics:
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) ,
- Centers of Excellence ,
- Clubhouse Services ,
- Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) ,
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) ,
- Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) ,
- Functional Family Therapy (FFT) ,
- High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) ,
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model of Supported Employment ,
- Multisystemic Therapy (MST) ,
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) ,
- Policy/Advocacy
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The following organizations have been selected to serve as Behavioral Health COEs.
- The Public Mental Health Partnership at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior (PMHP at UCLA) to support Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Forensic ACT (FACT).
- Clubhouse International to support Clubhouse Services.
- Early Psychosis Intervention California (EPI-CAL) to support Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP).
- The IPS Employment Center at RFMH, Inc.to support Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment.
- FFT LLC to support Functional Family Therapy (FFT).
- Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice (RCFFP), a program within the Division of Continuing and Professional Education at the University of California, Davis, to support High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW).
- MST Services, LLC to support Multisystemic Therapy (MST).
- PCIT International Association to support Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
Topics:
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) ,
- Centers of Excellence ,
- Clubhouse Services ,
- Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) ,
- Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) ,
- Functional Family Therapy (FFT) ,
- High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) ,
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model of Supported Employment ,
- Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
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DHCS has partnered with Health Management Associates (HMA) as the Administrative Entity for the Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence (COE). In this role, HMA will:
- Provide project management and oversee the COEs.
- Coordinate technical assistance efforts on Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) to county behavioral health entities, their providers, and systems.
- Support DHCS in standardized data collection and reporting.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders across behavioral health initiatives, as appropriate.
Topics:
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
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The following EBPs are being supported by the Behavioral Health COEs under this initiative:
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Forensic ACT (FACT).
- Clubhouse Services.
- Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP).
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment.
- Functional Family Therapy (FFT).
- High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW).
- Multisystemic Therapy (MST).
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
Topics:
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) ,
- Centers of Excellence ,
- Clubhouse Services ,
- Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) ,
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) ,
- Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) ,
- Functional Family Therapy (FFT) ,
- High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) ,
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model of Supported Employment ,
- Multisystemic Therapy (MST) ,
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
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DHCS has established Behavioral Health COE to support behavioral health delivery systems and behavioral health practitioners in implementing Evidence-Based Practices (EBP). Specific activities conducted by COEs include:
- Training.
- Certification and Medi-Cal Designation for specific EBPs.
- Technical assistance.
- Fidelity monitoring.
- Other supports to deliver EBPs through a culturally sensitive lens.
Topics:
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)