BHSA Policy Updates

Critical Update: Counties are now expected to submit a draft Integrated Plan to DHCS by March 31. This is a new requirement and will be followed by the submission of the final Integrated Plan by June 30. For further details, please refer to section 3.A.1 of the Policy Manual.

On April 7, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released an updated version of the Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual (“Policy Manual”). The Policy Manual is updated to include Module 2, which was released for Public Comment in December 2024, and includes the following chapters:

Chapter 6. BHT Fiscal Policies
- 6.B. Behavioral Health Services Act Fiscal Policies
  - Allocation Methodology
  - State Directed Funding
  - Local Prudent Reserve
  - Reversion Policy
  - Mental Health Services Act to Behavioral Health Services Act Transition
  - Cost Principles
- 6.C. Promoting Access to Care Through Efficient Use of State and County Resources
Chapter 7. BHSA Components and Requirements
- 7.A. Behavioral Health Services and Supports
- 7.B. Full Service Partnership
Chapter 8. Documentation Requirements for BHSA Services
Appendix C. Promoting Access to Care through Efficient Use of State and County Resources Appendices
Appendix D. Policy Manual Definitions

In addition, DHCS made changes to the following sections of the existing Policy Manual:

Chapter 2.B. Behavioral Health Transformation – Timeline for Implementation
Chapter 3.A. Integrated Plan – Reporting Period
Chapter 7. BHSA Components and Requirements – Housing Interventions

For questions, please email BHTPolicyFeedback@dhcs.ca.gov.