Featured

This webinar offers practical guidance on sustainable funding solutions for peer support programs, including Medi-Cal billing and certification, BHSA funding, opioid settlement funds, and other reimbursement pathways. Experts in the field will discuss: What funding exists today: An overview of existing funding streams and opportunities. Funding in practice: How to achieve Medi-Cal certification and braid …

Funding the Peer Workforce: Billing, Braiding, and Building Sustainability Read More »

This webinar explores the history, evidence base, and effective implementation of peer support services. Experts in the field will discuss: Where it started: The history and foundations of the peer support movement. Why it works: The evidence base and demonstrated value of peer support services. The path forward: Best practices and recommendations for effectively integrating …

The Foundation of Peer Support: Where It Started, Why It Works, and the Path Forward Read More »

87 hospitals meet performance standards for high-quality substance use disorder care, with dozens demonstrating sustained or improved performance Sacramento, CA – California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Secretary Kim Johnson joined Cal Hospital Compare today in recognized hospitals across California today for high performance and continued improvement in providing evidence-based care for patients with …

Cal Hospital Compare Announces the 2026 Hospitals Leading Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Care Honor Roll Read More »

Resources to help Californians understand the federal government’s new Public Charge Rule, including information about what the rule means and how it may affect individuals and families, are now available. We are continuing to create and update resources as additional information becomes available.  We encourage Californians with questions or concerns about the rule to review …

NOW AVAILABLE: Resources to Help California Families Understand New Federal Public Charge Rule Read More »

During a recent wildfire, a firefighter cut his hand while repairing a fire engine. Normally, an injury like that means a trip to the hospital, pulling the firefighter off the line and using up medical resources that evacuees also need. That’s not what happened this time. A physician from California’s Medical Assistance Team (CAL-MAT) was …

When Disaster Strikes: How California’s Medical Assistance Teams Care for Communities and Responders Read More »

Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced a final rule barring federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding for medically necessary gender-affirming care for transgender youth. In response to the announcement, California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) leaders—including CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson, Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Director Michelle Baass, Department …

Joint Statement from California Health & Human Services Leaders on Federal Actions Targeting Health Care for Transgender Americans Read More »

The California Health and Human Services Agency and its Departments are reviewing the federal government’s final Public Charge Rule and assessing the potential impacts on California families and communities. As indicated in the federal government’s notice, the final Public Charge Rule will take effect 60 days after formal publication on the Federal Register. In other …

Joint Statement from California Health and Human Services Leaders on New Federal Public Charge Rule  Read More »

What you need to know: State, county and local partners are coming together to strengthen implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, one component of a larger effort to transform California’s behavioral health system. Through training, outreach and close collaboration, partners are connecting Californians in need with critical behavioral health services and …

State and Local Leaders Convene to Strengthen CARE Act Implementation in San Bernardino County Read More »

Sacramento, CA – The California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM) at the California Health and Human Services Agency announced the launch of its inaugural Next-Gen Representative Research Program, which has awarded $1.8 million to support a cohort of early career researchers in the state. This program will fund a dozen California PhD or MD-PhD student researchers who are advancing innovative precision medicine projects, with a focus on whole person-centered care for underrepresented …

California Awards $1.8 Million to Support Next Generation of Precision Medicine Researchers Read More »

Updates on HR 1 Impacts on Medi-Cal and CalFresh Last year, the Republican majority in Congress and President Trump enacted H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act or OBBBA). CalHHS leadership provide an update on the latest efforts to address the bill’s impacts on safety-net programs in California and highlight recent guidance. Separately, CalHHS …

CalHHS Connect: How Federal Policy Changes are Impacting a Healthy California for ALL Read More »

Families Facing Homelessness The lives of families living in poverty and experiencing homelessness are often complex. They are constantly navigating difficult and unpredictable circumstances while seeking or keeping a job and caring for children. According to the statewide Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS), families with children represented a third of people accessing homelessness services — and …

Successfully Tackling Family Homelessness: California’s Integrated Approach   Read More »

What you need to know: Governor Newsom today announced that all California counties have reached a major milestone in modernizing behavioral healthcare by advancing a stronger behavioral health workforce, expanding statewide prevention strategies, and making investments grounded in outcomes and accountability. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California is now shifting to the Behavioral …

California reaches major milestone in modernizing behavioral healthcare: Proposition 1 goes into effect statewide Read More »

New findings show California’s children and youth behavioral health investments are making a difference What you need to know: New findings across multiple reports highlight the impact of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) — a more than $4 billion investment designed to expand access to care, strengthen the behavioral health workforce, support schools and communities, and …

California’s historic investment in youth behavioral health delivers results across the state Read More »