Behavioral Health

San Francisco Eyes Potential Expansion of Behavioral Health Beds

Who UCSF Health   San Francisco Department of Public Health What The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is set to approve a resolution authorizing the San Francisco Department of Public Health to submit applications for grant funds to the state’s Department of Health Care Services under the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program Round 1: Launch Ready.   […]

CEOs and Other Hospital Leaders in Redwood Coast Meet

Who Redwood Coast section CEOs and hospital leaders  Humboldt County behavioral health leadership What On Nov. 6, the Redwood Coast section convened to discuss several key topics:  CHA’s 2024 Policy Summary: An overview of the California Hospital Association’s (CHA) policy initiatives for the upcoming year  Hospitals’ Challenges and Goals for 2025: A discussion on the […]

Sacramento County Adopts Jan. 1, 2025, as SB 43 Implementation Date

Who Health care facilities and partners in and around Sacramento County What When Senate Bill (SB) 43 was signed on Oct. 10, 2023, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, along with all but two counties in the state, chose to postpone the Jan. 1, 2024, implementation date — this way, the counties could assess their […]

Behavioral Health Drives Meetings, Prompts Innovations in Northern Sierra

Who Health care facilities and partners across the Northern Sierra What Hospital Council has hosted many meetings with various hospitals, counties, and health plans — all of which are searching for ways to address the challenges they face in trying to help those who need behavioral health services.   Hospitals trying to get their behavioral health […]

Sonoma County Hospitals are Responding to Closure of Crisis Stabilization Unit

Who Sonoma County member hospitals  Sonoma County Board of Supervisors  Sonoma County administration What Sonoma County’s only crisis stabilization unit (CSU) was forced to close in August due to mold contamination in its air ducts. After a contractor assessed the damage, it became clear that the necessary repairs may extend into the new year. This […]

Northern Sierra CEOs Share Challenges and Opportunities 

Who CEOs and other hospital leadership in the Northern Sierra Section What At a section meeting in late August, Northern Sierra CEOs discussed a wide range of critical issues including the continued increase of patients being held on 5150s in the emergency departments (EDs), as well as shortages of behavioral health workforce across the region. […]

Alternate Destination Strategy Approved in Sacramento

Who Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services Agency (SCEMSA)  Behavioral health facilities in Sacramento County  911/Emergency medical service providers in the SCEMSA territory   What SCEMSA’s medical director recently reported that the California Emergency Medical Services Authority approved the agency’s application for a triage-to-alternate-destination policy.   Three facilities are now contracted to serve as receiving sites for mental […]

Sonoma County Mental Health Initiative Continues Success as Director Departs

Who Hospitals and health systems in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties  Sonoma County Health Services What For the past year, Sonoma County’s Director of Health Services, Tina Rivera, has been championing a new approach to mental health management in Sonoma County and beyond, similar to the Be Well initiative in Orange County. With strong support […]

Collaborating to Improve Behavioral Health 

Who Shasta County hospital CEOs and leadership staff   Shasta County behavioral health director and leadership staff What On July 9, Hospital Council hosted a meeting in Shasta County of hospital and county behavioral health leaders. Kirsten Barlow, California Hospital Association vice president, policy, informed the group about significant and process-changing laws and programs coming to […]

Kern Behavioral Health Workgroup Engages on SB 43

Who Kern County hospitals  Kern County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (Kern BHRS) What Hospital Council has continued to facilitate regular meetings between Kern BHRS and Kern County hospitals. Recently, the meeting cadence has increased to monthly to work through details and needs stemming from Senate Bill (SB) 43.    One of the items discussed was the […]