Commission for Behavioral Health

05/28/2026

The Commission is pleased to share updates to our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. These updates will be added as an addendum to the Strategic Plan to ensure alignment with the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and Priority Populations.

Following robust discussion and stakeholder engagement throughout the Spring, the Commission’s limited-time Strategic Plan Advisory Committee outlined four priority areas for the Commission to advance:

✅ Meet the Needs of People with the Highest Behavioral Health Needs

✅ Ensure that the Substance Use Disorder Continuum is Incorporated Throughout the Commission’s Work

✅ Expand Peer Behavioral Health Services

✅ Build the Evidence Base for the Effectiveness and Sustainability of New and Innovative Statewide Strategies

Learn more about the four priority areas and their desired results by viewing our updated Strategic Plan: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/strategic-plan/2024-2027/strategic-plan-addendum/

05/27/2026

Update: The Commission’s sponsored bill, AB 2003 (Berman), which will create free online su***de prevention training in schools, has passed the Assembly Floor and is now headed to the Senate!

Thank you to Assemblymember Marc Berman, our co-sponsor, the California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN), and all our supporters for helping move this important bill forward.

05/27/2026

The Commission joined Youth Leadership Institute, Cal Voices, NAMI, Mental Health of America California, and community partners on May 26 to oppose the Governor’s May Revision proposal to eliminate CBH’s Community Advocacy Grant Program.

Youth, advocates, and behavioral health leaders shared powerful testimony about why stakeholder voice matters. “Nothing About Us Without Us” reflects the need for the communities most impacted - clients and consumers, diverse racial and ethnic communities, families, LGBTQIA+ populations, parents and caregivers, transition age youth, veterans, K-12 youth, and immigrants and refugees - to have a seat at the table.

The Commission remains committed to protecting the voice of our community organizations in statewide behavioral health decision making.

05/26/2026

Be a part of the conversation at the May Commission meeting!

🗓 Thursday, May 28
🕘 9:00 a.m. PDT
📍 In person at 1812 9th Street, Sacramento
💻 Or join us via teleconference

🔗 See the agenda and register for the meeting: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/commission-meetings/commission-meeting-may-28-2026/

05/21/2026

Update: The Commission’s Community Partner Toolkit is now available in the following languages:

💬 Cantonese
💬 Farsi
💬 Korean
💬 Mandarin
💬 Tagalog
💬 Vietnamese

Additional languages will be added soon! The Commission’s Community Partner Toolkit serves as a guide to understanding and participating in your county’s behavioral health planning process, showing how the process works and how you can take part. Inside, you’ll find tools, examples, and resources to help you get involved.

Access the Toolkit and translations: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/community-partner-toolkit/

05/20/2026

The Commission will discuss next steps for the Client & Family Leadership (CFLC) and Cultural & Linguistic Competency (CLCC) Advisory Committees at the May 28, 2026, Commission meeting, including considerations for new chairs, new member appointments, and review and adoption of updated charters.

Register for the meeting: https://bhsoac-ca-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/7f45lolkTw-45nyfVJW9_A #/registration

Make a public comment on this agenda item: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/public-comment/

05/19/2026

UPDATE: Cuts to the Commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) grant program and community advocacy grants will be heard tomorrow (May 20) during the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health hearing at 1:30 p.m. at 1021 O Street - Room 1200.

The outpour of support from stakeholders and community members has been invaluable at this critical time. You can still get involved and help save funding for these critical programs:

🗣️ Make a public comment in opposition to these cuts at tomorrow’s meeting!

🏛️ Reach out to your local Assemblymember and/or Senator to get their support!

📝 Send an opposition letter to the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review ([email protected]) and Assembly Budget ([email protected]) committees using our opposition letter templates:

💡 IPF: https://lnkd.in/gVfzBTct
📣 Advocacy: https://lnkd.in/gJ7GZied

The Commission will continue advocating for full restoration of funding to protect community voice, accountability, equitable BHSA implementation, innovation, and county support.

https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/system/files/2026-05/05202026-calhhs-emsa-hcai-cbh-covca-part-a.pdf

05/18/2026

UPDATE: Cuts to the Commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) grant program and community advocacy grants will be heard tomorrow (May 19) during the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health at 2 p.m. in State Capitol Room 126.

The outpour of support from stakeholders and community members has been invaluable at this critical time. You can still get involved and help save funding for these critical programs:

🗣️ Make a public comment in opposition to these cuts at tomorrow’s meeting!

🏛️ Reach out to your local Assembly Member and/or Senator to get their support!

📝 Send an opposition letter to the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review ([email protected]) and Assembly Budget ([email protected]) committees using our opposition letter templates:
💡 IPF: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/May-Revise-IPF-Oppose-Letter-Template-5.14.26.docx
📣 Advocacy: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/May-Revise-Advocacy-Program-Oppose-Letter-Template-5.14.26.docx

The Commission will continue advocating for full restoration of funding to protect community voice, accountability, equitable BHSA implementation, innovation, and county support.

https://bhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sub-1-may-19-hearing-agenda-1.pdf

05/18/2026

REMINDER: The Commission is excited to host a special listening session with California’s Tribal communities virtually on May 21 at 12:00 p.m.

Register Here: https://bhsoac-ca-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/VO5psGH_R7aISfNacb_G7Q #/registration

The Commission is excited to host a special listening session with members of California’s tribal communities virtually on May 21 at 12:00 p.m.

This session is an important opportunity for tribal communities to share their experiences and help shape the Commission’s upcoming advocacy contract, focused on better mental health and substance use disorder services for diverse racial and ethnic communities.

Members of tribal communities interested in participating are encouraged to register here: https://bhsoac-ca-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/VO5psGH_R7aISfNacb_G7Q #/registration

05/15/2026

The Governor's May Revise proposes eliminating CBH’s Community Advocacy Program!

This cut would dismantle the program that funds trusted community-based organizations to provide advocacy, training and education, and outreach and engagement, core to BHSA’s promise of “Nothing about us without us.” Eliminating it would reduce meaningful consumer and family participation in behavioral health planning and oversight, and disrupt community-led work already underway.

CBH is deeply concerned about this proposal and is committed to working to restore full ongoing funding for the Community Advocacy Program in the final budget.

📝 Take action today by sending an opposition letter to the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review and Assembly Budget committees: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/May-Revise-Advocacy-Program-Oppose-Letter-Template-5.14.26.docx

🏢 Senate Budget & Fiscal Review: [email protected]
🏢 Assembly Budget: [email protected]

✔️ Stay ready: Senate/Assembly budget hearings are coming in the next couple weeks. When this issue is agendized, please show up to provide public comment and urge restoration of full IPF funding. Sign up for updates:

🏤 Senate Budget Sub 3 (Health): https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/newsletter
🏤 Assembly Budget Sub 1 (Health): https://www.assembly.ca.gov/newsletter

Thank you for taking action to protect community voice, accountability, and equitable BHSA implementation.