On Monday, April 7, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
opened
the public comment period for Draft Module 3 of the
Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual. The
public comment period will run through April 25,
2025, and all public comment must be submitted through
the DHCS public
comment digital platform. Draft Module 3 provides guidance on
the Integrated Plan submission and approval process, budget
templates, and measures for population goals.
Of note to counties, Draft Module 3 includes a new
requirement for counties to submit a draft Integrated
Plan to DHCS by March 31, 2026, in addition to the final
Integrated Plan submission deadline of June 30, 2026. Counties
that fail to submit their Integrated Plans by the March 31 and
June 30 deadlines are out of compliance and may be subject to
corrective action.
On February 19, DHCS released the initial installment of the
policy manual that incorporated feedback received for Module 1.
It includes information on the community planning process,
funding allowances and transfer requests, housing interventions,
and Behavioral Health Services Act implementation. For specific
questions about the policy manual, please email BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.
