BHSA Policy Updates

Update: On July 9, 2025, the Download Resource page has been updated with the updated version of the Integrated Plan Budget Template and County Population-Level Behavioral Health Measure Workbook, and the BHSA County Policy Manual (Version 1.3.0).

On June 30, 2025, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) updated a version of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) County Policy Manual (“Policy Manual”).

The Policy Manual is updated to include Module 3 and accompanying documents, which were open for Public Comment in April 2025, and includes the following:

Chapter 3. Integrated Plan
- 3.E. Guidance for Completing the Integrated Plan
  - Integrated Plan Template
  - General Requirements
  - Process for Requesting Exemptions
  - Integrated Plan Submission
  - Joint Submission for Local Entities
  - Statewide Behavioral Health Goals
Chapter 9. Appendix
- Appendix D: Policy Manual Definitions
Download Resources
- Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan Template Version 1
- Integrated Plan Budget Template
- County Population-Level Behavioral Health Measure Workbook – Measure Access Instructions & Notes
- County Population-Level Behavioral Health Measure Workbook

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

Chapter 3.B County Integrated Plan – County Requirements; Public Comment and Behavioral Health Board Hearings; and Stakeholder Engagement for Annual and Intermittent Updates.
Chapter 6.B BHT Fiscal Policies – Funding Transfer Requests; Cost Principles; Administrative Costs

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