Summary

In October of 2019, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released an extensive plan with a framework to reform the state’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) called the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal initiative (CalAIM). The CalAIM includes California’s strategies for renewing, reforming, and sustaining critical safety net supports that help address complex health needs for vulnerable residents such as individuals who are homeless, with limited access to care, and for children who have complex medical or behavioral health needs that are administered under the 1915b and 1115 waivers. 

Community-based advocates saw unprecedented opportunities to shape the future service delivery program in our State.  DHCS plans to finalize their proposal to the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) by May or June of 2020.  Topic specific workgroups will meet from now until February 2020 to develop the details of the CalAIM framework that is currently outlined.  The California Alliance is a formal member of the Behavioral Health workgroup.

In collaboration with The California Children’s Trust (CCT), the Catalyst Center engaged various thought leaders in the fields of Medi-Cal and the children’s service delivery systems to integrate community voices in responses and recommendations to DHCS in response to CalAIM. 

Letters submitted to DHCS