1. Policy Manual Introduction

This policy manual provides counties and two city-operated mental health authorities with guidance necessary to implement Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT),^[1] a package of behavioral health policy reforms enacted by California voters through Proposition 1 (2024) and will take effect according to statutory timelines. Counties, providers, and other behavioral health stakeholders will find information on county planning, reporting, and fiscal requirements in this policy manual. The manual also contains information about the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) service and program implementation requirements. Per Welfare and Institutions Code section 5963.05, DHCS has the authority to implement, interpret, or make specific amendments to the Behavioral Health Transformation through county letters, information notices, plan or provider bulletins, and other similar instructions, including this manual. The guidance in this manual will serve as regulations. Throughout the manual, there are footnote references to relevant Department of Health Care Services webpages, Behavioral Health Information Notices, the Welfare & Institutions Code, and the California Code of Regulations for more information. The policy manual will be updated on a continual basis and will include a summary of changes between each version.

^[1] W&I Code § 5963.05, subdivision (a)