California Health Care Foundation
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          The California Health Care Foundation is an independent, nonprofit philanthropy that works to improve the health care system so that all Californians have the care they need.

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          CHCF works on many different fronts to support California’s health care system. Explore resources, events, or networks related to each topic.

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          CHCF publishes reports, articles, issue briefs, explainers, data snapshots, infographics, fact sheets, and other resources to help make meaningful change in California’s health care system.

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          The California Health Care Foundation is an independent, nonprofit philanthropy that works to improve the health care system so that all Californians have the care they need.

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Mental Health

We are working to improve California’s health care system to better serve people with mental health needs, especially those with serious mental illness. We support integration of physical and behavioral health services, expanding crisis response alternatives, addressing workforce shortages, and promoting innovative payment models.

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    Featured Publications

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    Psychiatrist Priti Ojha
    Feature Story

    Expanding Access to Mental Health Care for Seriously Ill Patients

    A San Ysidro Health program is reimagining mental health and substance use disorder treatment as part of a federally supported effort to make behavioral health care better for Medi-Cal enrollees.

    October 14, 2024
    Behavioral Health
    Counselor and client talking

    Evaluation of Lay Counselor Academy

    March 14, 2024
    Health Workforce
    Clubhouse members LaMonte and Ayana talk about their shared interest in video and filmmaking.

    People with Serious Mental Illness Find Community in a Clubhouse

    October 19, 2023
    Homelessness
    Reynaldo Vargas, a therapist working toward licensure, is learning how to navigate difficult cases in Contra Costa County with the help of his remote supervisor.

    Counties Embrace New Approach to Getting Therapist Trainees Licensed

    April 11, 2025
    Behavioral Health
    Illustratation of supportive housing facility and hospital beds.

    Behavioral Health Treatment Beds and Housing in California: An Explainer

    February 23, 2024
    Behavioral Health

    Recent Resources

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    Counselor talks to patient
    Resource

    Listening to Californians with Complex Needs: Behavioral Health

    This fact sheet draws from a major research project and examines the experiences of Californians with behavioral health conditions. Participants shared the need for integrated care with fewer eligibility requirements and the importance of care managers with lived experience, especially early in the treatment process.

    September 22, 2025
    Resource
    Quick Read
    Composite image of Californians with complex health needs who participated in interviews about their experiences in Medi-Cal
    Resource

    Listening to Californians with Complex Needs

    Learn about the first-hand experiences of Californians with complex health and social needs as they seek care. Read the full report and its fact sheets from EVITARUS.

    September 22, 2025
    Resource
    Report
    Man in counseling session with physician
    Resource

    This Federal Experiment Is Pouring Money into Mental Hospitals. Will It Work?

    California and other states are joining a federal pilot project that’s funneling new funding into institutional care for people with serious mental illness.

    September 10, 2025
    Resource
    Feature Story
    Mission Cabins sign at the Five Keys transitional housing location in San Francisco.
    Resource

    California Counties, Private Agencies Aim for ‘Behavioral Health Transformation’ Enabled by Prop 1

    Proposition 1 increased funding opportunities for housing interventions and other services.

    July 2, 2025
    Resource
    Expert Perspective

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    OAKLAND
    1438 Webster Street #400
    Oakland, CA 94612
    Tel: 510.238.1040 Fax: 510.201.2991
    Directions to CHCF Oakland

    SACRAMENTO
    1415 L Street #820
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    Tel: 916.329.4540 Fax: 916.329.4544
    Directions to CHCF Sacramento

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