Commission for Behavioral Health

08/07/2026

Receive an update on the Commission’s Mental Health Wellness Act (MHWA) portfolio and a proposal to use the previously approved $10 million in MHWA funds to support Full Service Partnerships (FSPs) at the August 20, 2026, Commission meeting in Sacramento.

The Commission’s MHWA portfolio covers six areas of focus to improve community response to people facing behavioral health crises:

✅Emergency Psychiatric Assessment Treatment and Healing (EmPATH)
✅Older adults
✅Substance use disorder (SUD)
✅0-5 maternal behavioral health
✅Peer respites
✅FSPs

The Commission will vote on a proposal to reaffirm an existing commitment to use the remaining $10 million of MHWA funds (approved in 2024) to support technical assistance, grants, and research related to FSP infrastructure and workforce.

Register for the meeting: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/commission-meetings/commission-meeting-august-27-2026/

Make a public comment on this agenda item: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/public-comment/

08/03/2026

📢The Commission is hiring!

We’re seeking a Manager II to support the Chief Deputy Director by leading two multi-disciplinary teams in Human Resources and Business Operations. This role encompasses budget management, procurement, and facilities oversight, while serving as a strategic advisor on performance management and organizational policy and procedures.

The ideal candidate brings demonstrated ability to manage complex administrative functions and navigate California's state governance and budgeting landscape.

Learn more and apply: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=526881

08/03/2026

The Commission will consider approval of the LGBTQIA+ and veterans community advocacy program contract procurement outline plans at the August 20, 2026, Commission meeting.

These communities represent two of the nine underserved populations that the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) looks to elevate through advocacy, training and education, and outreach and engagement activities, concentrated on BHSA priority populations - individuals living with a serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorder (SUD), or co-occurring SMI and SUD.

Register for the meeting: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/commission-meetings/commission-meeting-august-27-2026/

Make a public comment on this agenda item: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/public-comment/

07/29/2026

📣Your feedback is needed! We want to know how the Behavioral Health Services Act Community Planning Process went in your county so we can help improve the next one. Fill out the survey by August 6, 2026, to share what went well and what can be improved.

Take the survey online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cbh_cpp_survey

Survey details:
✅The survey takes 12-20 minutes to complete.
✅You can choose to keep your response anonymous.
✅The survey is open to community members, providers & CBOs, and county & State partners.
✅CBH will use the survey response to make recommendations to improve the process.

07/28/2026

REMINDER: The Commission is accepting applications now through August 3 from passionate individuals interested in serving on our Client and Family Leadership Committee (CFLC) and Cultural and Linguistic Competency Committee (CLCC).

Selected committee members will have the unique opportunity to provide technical and professional expertise by guiding Commission research, projects, and grants while reviewing legislation and ensuring our initiatives reflect the diverse needs of Californians most impacted by behavioral health challenges.

Selections will be announced at the August 20, 2026, Commission meeting.

Learn how to apply: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/committees/

07/22/2026

REMINDER: The Commission is excited to host a special listening session with parents and caregivers of individuals identified as part of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) priority populations on July 23 at 12:00 p.m.

Register Here: https://bhsoac-ca-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/8Md1s2ekQJGR9p9r0A4zQw #/registration

The Commission is hosting a virtual listening session for parents and caregivers of individuals identified as part of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) priority populations on Thursday, July 23 at 12:00 p.m.

The BHSA values stakeholder input, including from parents and caregivers of children and youth, adults, or older adults with a serious mental illness (SMI), serious emotional disturbance (SED), moderate/severe substance use disorder (SUD), or co-occurring conditions who are also experiencing or at risk of:

💬 Chronic homelessness
💬 Involvement in the criminal or juvenile justice system
💬 Reentry from incarceration or youth correctional facilities
💬 Placement in or transition from the child welfare system
💬 Conservatorship
💬 Institutionalization

This session is an important opportunity for parents and caregivers of individuals identified as part of the BHSA priority populations to share their experiences and help inform the Commission’s upcoming advocacy contract, ensuring their voices are included and reflected in BHSA planning, policy, and decision-making.

Parents and caregivers interested in participating are encouraged to register here: https://bhsoac-ca-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/8Md1s2ekQJGR9p9r0A4zQw #/registration

07/21/2026

📝The Commission is hiring!

We're seeking a Chief Deputy Director (CDD) to direct daily operations and oversee performance management. The CDD oversees key programs, administrative operations, and implementation of Commission mandates under Proposition 1 to improve mental health and substance use services, including programs like the Mental Health Wellness Act, Behavioral Health Student Services Act, Innovation Partnership Fund, Stakeholder Advocacy grants, and Full Service Partnership evaluations.

The role also manages core administrative duties - such as budgeting, staffing, and contract oversight - while advising Commission leadership and ensuring accountability for approximately $2 billion in annual Behavioral Health Services Act funding.

Read more and apply: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=523631

07/21/2026

Be a part of the conversation at the July Program Advisory Committee meeting!

🗓 Thursday, July 23
🕘 10:00 a.m. PDT

Join us in person at 1812 9th Street, Sacramento or via teleconference.

See the agenda and register for the meeting: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/committees/program-advisory-committee-july-23-2026/

07/20/2026

📢The Commission for Behavioral Health is proud to announce the Intent to Award for the first $20 million round of the Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF).

Following a competitive process that drew 307 applications from across the state, we are awarding 13 grants to support projects that move beyond the status quo:

💰Large Grants (≈ $16M Total):

✅California Behavioral Health Director’s Association (Statewide)
✅Habitat for Humanity (Yuba/Sutter)
✅LA General Medical Center Foundation, Inc. (Los Angeles)
✅Rural County Representatives of California (Rural North State)
✅Safe Passages (Statewide)

💰Small Grants (≈ $4M Total):

✅Beach Cities Health Care District (Los Angeles)
✅Bonita House, Inc. (Alameda)
✅Cal Voices (Statewide)
✅Humboldt Neurohealth Therapeutic Services (Humboldt/Trinity)
✅North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network (Humboldt/Del Norte)
✅Soccer Without Borders (Alameda)
✅South Central LA Regional Center (Los Angeles)
✅Third Sector Capital Partners (Sutter/Yuba)

📄This Notice of Intent to Award is posted on the Commission’s website at www.bhsoac.ca.gov for five (5) working days, representing the formal protest period.

Read the full Notice of Intent to Award and explore the projects here:https://bhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/IPF-001_Notice_of_Intent_to_Award.pdf

07/17/2026

Be a part of the conversation at the July Workplace Optimization Advisory Committee meeting!

🗓 Monday, July 20
🕘 11:00 a.m. PDT

Join us in person at 1812 9th Street, Sacramento or via teleconference.

See the agenda and register for the meeting: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/committees/workplace-optimization-advisory-committee-july-20-2026/