Who
- Lake County Behavioral Health Collaborative, including representatives from:
- Adventist Health Clear Lake
- Lake County Behavioral Health Services
- Partnership HealthPlan of California
- Redwood Community Services
- Lakeport Police Department
- Tribal Health Services
What
Last week, members of the Lake County Behavioral Health Collaborative convened to strengthen their shared commitment to improving access, coordination, and outcomes for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.
The group discussed strategies to continue advancing service delivery innovations supported by the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. While the long-term sustainability of these efforts may be impacted by broader fiscal constraints, the Collaborative emphasized that strong cross-sector partnerships and local leadership remain the foundation for serving patients with compassion, dignity, and continuity.
Despite deep concern over potential future funding cuts, all attendees reaffirmed that, regardless of the fiscal outlook, this work is essential and must continue. Participants also expressed urgency around improving care coordination and access, particularly for high-acuity patients who fall between service categories.
Takeaway/Next Steps
The group committed to hosting smaller working sessions to map the current behavioral health landscape and identify specific pressure points in access, capacity, and coordination, as well as:
- Prioritizing improved transitions of care, particularly between the hospital, crisis stabilization unit, and community-based providers
- Exploring options for new or repurposed step-down facilities, including potential grant opportunities under Proposition 1 and future Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program rounds
- Continuing to build trust and transparency between entities with a shared goal of improving behavioral health outcomes in Lake County
Contact
RVP Meghan Hardin at mhardin@hospitalcouncil.org