Behavioral Health - California Health Care Foundation

Behavioral Health
The burden of untreated behavioral health conditions — encompassing mental health and substance use disorders — is both a major public health problem and a delivery system challenge. CHCF works to improve systems of behavioral health care and to focus on integrating mental health, substance use, and physical health services to achieve the best outcomes for Californians with low incomes.

Finally, an Effective Treatment for Methamphetamine Addiction

October 25, 2022

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal

A new Medi-Cal program uses psychology principles to incentivize stimulant users to stay sober.

Here Are Key Mental Health Provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

September 28, 2022

Alyssa Llamas, Dawn Joyce

Behavioral Health

While the funding of mental health services in the measure is substantial, it did not address many needed investments and policy changes.

California Lawmakers Approved CARE Court. What Comes Next?

September 22, 2022

Manuela Tobias, Jocelyn Wiener

Homelessness & Health Care, Behavioral Health

Now that Governor Gavin Newsom’s court system for people with severe mental illness has been enacted, counties face a series of practical questions critical to turning the fuzzy concept into a reality.

Advancing Behavioral Health Outcomes in Primary Care

Behavioral Health

The Advancing Behavioral Health Outcomes in Primary Care project is a learning collaborative of 14 CHCs with the goal of improving behavioral health outcomes, especially among Black, Latino/x, Indigenous, Asian Pacific Islander, LGBTQA, and non-English-speaking patients.

2022 Edition — Quality of Care: Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health

This set of quality measures focuses on behavioral health, including mental health and substance use.

2022 Edition — Mental Health in California

Behavioral Health

Using the most recent data available, this Almanac provides an overview of mental health statewide: disease prevalence, suicide rates, supply and use of treatment providers, and mental health in the criminal justice system.

Innovations in Telehealth in Behavioral Health During COVID-19

National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Behavioral Health, Telehealth

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a swift pivot to telehealth for the delivery of behavioral health services. What works? What isn’t working? And what barriers to quality care remain? This report from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing was developed specifically for mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers.

From Corrections to Community: Reentry Health Care

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal

People in jail or prison experience high rates of physical and mental health problems within complex social contexts. CHCF is working with partners to improve the coordination and delivery of care for those leaving correctional settings and returning to the community.

A Qualitative Study of Expanded Methadone Take-Home Access in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Behavioral Health

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, federal guidance permitted greater access to methadone "take-home doses" for people in treatment for opioid use disorder. This paper reviews the treatment experiences of patients and providers at an opioid treatment program in San Francisco.

New Technology Is Transforming Care in California’s Safety Net

Silvina Martinez

Telehealth, Behavioral Health, Health Equity

Federally Qualified Health Centers in California overcame language barriers, uneven digital access, and workflow changes to increase telehealth visits for primary care from 2% of visits to 61% during the pandemic.

Improving Behavioral Health Systems Through Operational Integration: Efforts in San Mateo County

Behavioral Health

In San Mateo County, the Medi-Cal managed care plan and the behavioral health plan are working together to streamline operational functions to better manage resources and improve member care.

Treating Stimulant Use Disorder: CalAIM’s Contingency Management Pilot

Héctor Hernández-Delgado

Behavioral Health

Contingency management is an effective treatment for people trying to reduce or stop their use of methamphetamine, cocaine, and other stimulants. California's Department of Health Care Services will soon launch a pilot program offering contingency management to Medi-Cal enrollees in several counties statewide.

Learning from COVID-19: How Pandemic-Era Policies for Methadone Prescribing Could Improve Opioid Treatment

Leslie Suen, Oanh Nguyen, Kelly Knight

Behavioral Health

Emergency regulations instituted as COVID-19 reached the US allowed patients who may not otherwise have qualified for methadone take-home doses to receive them.

Patience, Commitment Help Journalists Capture Harsh Realities of Fentanyl Addiction

Behavioral Health

A conversation with San Francisco Chronicle reporter Trisha Thadani and photojournalist Stephen Lam about how they approached a project that dug deep below the surface of the city's overdose crisis.

Cultivating Outcomes Through Equity in Behavioral Telehealth

Behavioral Health, Telehealth, Health Equity

In this 18-month initiative, participants are working to improve their behavioral telehealth practices so that patients will have equitable access to high-quality services that promote resilience and emotional well-being.