DHCS is providing this update of significant developments regarding DHCS programs.
Program Updates
DHCS Awards CalBridge Round 2 Funding; Round 3 Now Open
DHCS today awarded more than $17 million to 142 hospitals with emergency departments, each receiving up to $120,000 to train behavioral health navigators to help expand access to substance use disorder and mental health services. The awards were part of Round 2 of the CalBridge Behavioral Health Navigator Program, a DHCS project through a contract with the Public Health Institute. To date, 232 hospitals have received funding under CalBridge.
CalBridge supports all participating hospitals with access to materials, training, and technical assistance for navigators, clinicians, nurses, community health workers, and other hospital staff and stakeholders. Applications for CalBridge Round 3 funding are now being accepted, with applications due on December 15, 2022. More information is available at
CalBridge Behavioral Health Navigator Program.
Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments (WRP) Registration and Application Instructions
DHCS recently issued instructions to help Covered Entities, Covered Services Employers (CEs/CSEs), and independent physicians or physicians that are part of a Physician Group Entities (PGEs) prepare for the upcoming WRP registration and application processes. Beginning on October 21, 2022, CEs/CSEs and PGEs are required to register with DHCS in order to participate in WRP. Once registered, approved CEs/CSEs and PGEs will be provided a link to apply for retention payments on behalf of eligible workers. Applications will be accepted between November 29, 2022, and December 30, 2022. DHCS encourages early submissions so all applications can be validated prior to the final due date. DHCS anticipates issuing payments to CEs/CSEs and PGEs in January 2023.
Please visit the WRP webpage to review the new information about the registration and application submission processes for the WRP and updated Frequently Asked Questions document. Sign up for DHCS' WRP stakeholder announcements to stay informed of new developments.
Reminder: Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) CITED Grant Application Due Today
The Capacity and Infrastructure Transition, Expansion and Development (CITED) Initiative round one
grant applications are due by 11:59 p.m. September 30. CITED funding is available to local government agencies, public hospitals, CBOs, and Medi-Cal Tribal and Designees of Indian Health Program to help with the transition, expansion and development of Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports capacity and infrastructure. For those who may miss this round, the round two application window is expected to open in December. The
CITED website contains guidance for interested applicants, including webinar materials and required information to complete the application.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring! We are currently searching for a mission-driven, motivated individual to serve as the
Justice Initiatives Branch Chief, functioning as the coordinator and advisor for initiatives involving individuals transitioning from incarceration to either managed care or fee-for-service.
DHCS is also hiring Californians to join our fiscal, human resources, legal, auditing, health policy and information technology teams, along with other professions. For more information, please visit the
CalCareers website.
DHCS is dedicated to preserving and improving the overall health and well-being of all Californians. DHCS' mission is to provide the most vulnerable residents with access to affordable, integrated, high-quality, equitable health care—and is currently transforming the Medi-Cal program to make sure it provides the care Californians need to live healthier lives.
Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars
CalAIM Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Carve-In Educational Webinar Series
On October 7, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., DHCS will host the first in a series of educational webinars for the SNF carve-in to help prepare for the statewide SNF coverage beginning on January 1, 2023. This webinar will inform stakeholders about the SNF carve-in policy requirements, and how best to support and coordinate care for members, as all MCPs will be required to cover and coordinate institutional long-term care for members entering or currently residing within a SNF beginning on January 1. The agenda includes: SNF carve-in 101, promising practices for contracting, billing and payment, and best practices for care transitions and management.
The
Long-Term Care Carve-In Transition webinars will occur monthly through February 2023. SNF providers and Medi-Cal MCP representatives are encouraged to attend. All webinars will be open to the public. Advance registration is required for the October 7 webinar.
Nursing Facility Financing Reform Webinar
On October 11, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., DHCS will host a virtual stakeholder meeting to provide an overview of the implementation timeline for the Nurse Facility Financing Reform (
Assembly Bill 186 (Chapter 46, Statutes of 2022, SEC. 9)). The webinar will present initial Workforce and Quality Incentive Program design considerations, and seek stakeholder input.
Information about how to join the webinar will be posted on the
Long-Term Care Reimbursement webpage closer to the meeting date.
CalAIM Webinar: Housing Supports via Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports
On October 13, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., DHCS will host a webinar on Housing Supports via CalAIM ECM and Community Supports (advance registration required). Participants are invited to submit questions by October 10 to
CalAIMECMILOS@dhcs.ca.gov, and attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during the session. An additional “Office Hours" event will be held on October 27, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., for attendees to ask any additional questions not covered during the webinar.
