California Alliance of Child & Family Services

An eye-opening article from California Healthline highlights the heartbreaking reality faced by San Francisco's homeless population amid ongoing street sweeps. As frontline workers strive to provide care, essential documents and medications are being lost, pushing individuals further away from the stability and support they desperately need. These disruptive sweeps, ordered by local leaders and supported by state mandates, are displacing people while also severely impacting their mental and physical health. Instead of connecting individuals to services and housing, these actions are perpetuating cycles of homelessness and undermining crucial healthcare efforts, including CalAIM services designed to offer long-term solutions. Read the full article to understand the human cost of these policies and the work being done by dedicated street medicine providers who are fighting to restore hope and health in these communities. https://lnkd.in/gyMSbhzd

We are deeply disappointed by the Governor's decision to veto Assembly Bill 1470. This bill would have simplified and standardized documentation for behavioral health providers, allowing them to focus more on client care. Supported by our coalition and partners, this bill was a critical step toward aligning efforts with CalAIM and addressing the administrative burdens that impact our ability to deliver quality care. We sincerely thank our partners— California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies (CBHA), California Association of Alcohol & Drug Program Executives, and many others who supported this crucial reform. Although this decision is a setback, we remain committed to advocating for meaningful changes that improve behavioral health service delivery. read our full statement - https://shorturl.at/egbP9

Honored to uplift lived experience in policy work and work with advocates like Celeste Walley !

We are thrilled to celebrate Steve Elson, the former CEO of Casa Pacifica, who received the prestigious Guardian Angel award yesterday at Casa Pacifica’s 30th anniversary celebration! Not only was he recognized for his incredible impact, but Casa Pacifica is renaming their campus in his honor. Steve is a true legend in the field and a long-time member of the CA Alliance. Congratulations to Steve, Shawna Morris, and the entire Casa Pacifica team on this milestone!

We are thrilled to announce that several of our incredible members have been awarded grants as part of the $55 million CYBHI EBP/CDEP Grant Program by the California Department of Health Care Services. These funds will support expanding early childhood wraparound services, providing critical mental health support to children, youth, and families across California. Congratulations to Allies for Every Child, Children's Legacy Center, Koinonia Family Services, South Coast Community Service and South Coast Children's Society, Victor Community Support Services, Wayfinder Family Services, and Youth for Change! Your commitment to driving transformative change in behavioral health is truly inspiring. Thank you for your continued work in creating healthier futures for our communities. https://lnkd.in/gJYGYyRc

The recent report from Center for Health Care Strategies and California Health Care Foundation, "Addressing Travel Costs for Providers of Field-Based Services in Medi-Cal," highlights a significant challenge faced by providers of field-based services, such as community health workers, doulas, and behavioral health providers. These professionals often deliver essential care in homes, schools, and community settings, bridging gaps for Medi-Cal members, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas. However, Medicaid does not directly reimburse travel costs, creating a significant barrier to sustained service delivery. Key Findings and Implications: - Access to Care is at Risk: Without reimbursement for travel, providers may reduce or discontinue services in remote areas, or increasingly rely on telehealth, which may not always meet members' needs. This is particularly concerning for rural and frontier regions where in-person services are vital. - Need for Tailored Solutions: A "one-size-fits-all" approach is not viable. The report emphasizes the need for solutions that address the unique travel time and expenses of different services and provider types. This could involve differentiated rates, incentives, or additional support to reflect the realities of delivering field-based care. - Policy Recommendations: States and managed care plans can make a difference by: * Surveying providers to fully understand their travel costs and incorporating these into reimbursement rates. * Developing service rates that reflect travel and other indirect costs, ensuring that service limits do not inadvertently increase financial burdens on providers. * Offering incentives for field-based services, adjusting rates based on geographic challenges, and supporting providers who predominantly deliver care in the field. Impact on Foster Family Agencies and Behavioral Health Providers: This issue is particularly relevant to foster family agencies and behavioral health providers who often work in challenging settings to meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Ensuring that these providers are adequately compensated for their travel expenses is critical to maintaining access to high-quality, person-centered care. Call to Action: We must advocate for policy changes recognizing the true costs of delivering field-based services. Supporting providers in this way will enhance access, reduce inequities, and help ensure that all Californians, regardless of location, can receive the care they need. Read the full report to understand how these recommendations could reshape access to care for Medi-Cal members and drive change in the healthcare landscape: https://lnkd.in/gU9_X7wZ

We are excited to highlight one of our members' upcoming training events—the Native American Youth Mental Health Conference, hosted by Two Feathers Native American Family Services! Taking place on September 25-26, this free virtual conference brings together leaders, educators, and mental health professionals dedicated to the wellness of Native American youth. Discover culturally relevant and evidence-based strategies, including: - Understanding trauma and its effects on the developing brain - The science of Mattering and Belonging for youth - Indigenous Identity and Youth Wellness - Culture-based recovery strategies for addiction - Native Resilience and Giftedness - The power of peer-to-peer relationships and uplifting Native youth leadership Conference Information: Sept 25, 9:00am-4:00pm Sept 26, 9:00am-3:00pm Location: Virtual Cost: FREE Join us in supporting our member's efforts to improve mental health and wellness for Native American youth and families. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gBEVARX8

Happening TOMORROW! Register now for the Northern California Anti-trafficking Regional Round Table where the CA Alliance will be presenting, along with Casa de Amparo and Mary's Path on services and supports for CSEC. Learn about options and advocacy for our most vulnerable youth in California. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gBHMVgjA

We are thankful to the many organizations urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2711 into law, including California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN), Mental Health America of California (MHAC), Disability Rights California, National Center for Youth Law, and NAMI. AB 2711 is a critical bill that shifts the approach from punitive measures to a public health framework for youth dealing with substance use. Instead of suspending or expelling students for possession or being under the influence, AB 2711 requires school districts to connect them with community-based behavioral health services, keeping them engaged in their education. This approach is vital because: • Over 83% of drug-related suspensions impact socioeconomically disadvantaged students. • Approximately 82% involve youth of color. • These suspensions often lead to academic disengagement, dropout, and a heightened risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. We urge other organizations to join us in calling on Governor Newsom to sign this important bill into law. Your voice matters now more than ever—let’s work together to keep California’s youth in school and on a path to success.

All youth should be able to feel secure in their homes, whether that means living their true gender identity, being surrounded by their brothers and sisters, or learning how to parent with their partner alongside them. If our goal is to prepare people to live successfully as adults, then Gov. Newsom should sign AB 2802 and give them the tools and flexibility to do so." Levi Nuñez shares his lived experiences and why AB 2802 is so critical in caring for Foster Youth as the bill heads to the Governor's desk in hopes of being signed thanks to the support of Assemblymember Brian Maienschein and all of our efforts. Read more of Levi Nuñez's call for Governor Newsom to make home a safe space for all youth. Capitol Weekly Gavin Newsom https://lnkd.in/gDx7AMz6