In January 2022, the California Department of Health Care Services launched CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal). This major reform has the potential to improve outcomes for the millions of people enrolled in Medi-Cal, including people experiencing homelessness. Of special note are two new programs.

Enhanced Care Management is a benefit available to people with complex needs, including those experiencing homelessness, to coordinate their care, which includes connecting them to treatment for any physical or mental health conditions and substance use disorder, and to social services.

Community Supports are a new set of 14 services not traditionally covered by Medi-Cal, including housing deposits and services to help people remain stably housed. Medi-Cal managed care plans have the option to offer these services to their members. (See box.)

Explore the resources below to learn more about implementing CalAIM reforms to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. You may also wish to visit CHCF’s CalAIM resource center filled with tools and resources explicitly for organizations implementing CalAIM programs.