Question 1: What is the eligibility for nonprofits with community health workers as health system navigators? How much funding is available for CHWs working in community-based nonprofits? Or would it be fee-for-service rather than funding?
Response:
Under the specialty behavioral health plan, entities eligible to deliver enhanced community health worker services must qualify to deliver and bill specialty Medi-Cal for those services. This is brand new for us, and we have approximately $3M set aside to stand up the benefit. Because it is new, we are working through the requirements and determining how we will deliver the services with our county partners. We want to lean in on the expertise of CHWs to support navigation for SUD and/or access to physical health care.
Question 2: There is support for uninsured individuals with severe conditions or SUD issues through the BHS department, but no support for uninsured individuals with mild to moderate presentations. OR, there is support for uninsured individuals with severe presentations only if they qualify for Medi-Cal?
Response:
That is correct. The state has affirmed that we are to align our programming to serve those with serious behavioral health conditions. We can serve uninsured individuals who qualify for specialty behavioral health, but mild/moderate conditions are not included.
Question 3: When do you anticipate the first RFPs for housing services will go out? What’s the estimated timeline for getting housing dollars out?
Response:
I do not know if we have a timeline for the RFPs. We will put a link in the chat where entities can register to be notified when RFPs are released.
Question 4: Are CHWs that currently provide housing tenancy services through CalOptima eligible for this opportunity?
Response:
We are still working through the requirements and standards for the enhanced benefit. More to come!
Question 5: What does “enhanced” community health workers mean? Is it what CalOptima qualifies as Enhanced Care Management?
Response:
An enhanced CHW is a non-licensed workforce member who shares lived experience, language, culture, or community ties with the people they serve; provides more intensive, structured, and coordinated support than a standard CHW; and works with clinical/behavioral health teams.
Question 6: Can IECMH consultants who are CHW II bill for their services under this plan?
Response:
They have to be part of the specialty network to bill. We are still reviewing and determining how this will be implemented, working with MCP and partners to determine the best path for standing up this benefit.
Question 7: Will the county prioritize funding organizations that serve the entire county versus those who serve their own organization’s clients in a small geographic area?
Response:
Under the Behavioral Health Services Act, the County considers a range of factors when allocating funds, including community need, equity, service gaps, and demonstrated outcomes. Both countywide providers and community-based organizations serving specific populations or geographic areas are essential to a comprehensive behavioral health system, and funding decisions are made to ensure resources reach communities with the greatest need.
Question 8: How many of the approximately 400 certified peers in Orange County are employed, expected to be employed by the county, or employed by county contractors to increase Medi-Cal billing?
Response:
At this time, we don’t have a definitive, publicly accessible count of how many of the approximately 400 certified peers in Orange County are currently employed by the county, by county contractors, or expected to be employed in ways that would increase Medi-Cal billing. The certification registry maintained by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) tracks certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists statewide and can provide county-level counts, but employment details—such as workforce placement or billing status—are not included in that public registry.
Question 9: What is the role of 211 in this process? What is the connection between 211 and Outreach and Engagement (O&E) under BHSA?
Response:
211 is a strong provider of resources across Orange County. Outreach and Engagement in BHSA is defined as connecting individuals with needed treatment, including ensuring we are closing the loop and doing what it takes to ensure people access the needed treatment. That means that, in addition to identifying a resource, outreach and engagement includes field-based pathways to engagement.
Question 10: Will Early Childhood go through an RFP or be awarded to First 5 OC?
Response:
All County-contracted services are awarded through a competitive bid process.
Question 11: Was consideration given to using the carryover (unspent funds) in the other areas? If yes, what was the impact?
Response:
Yes, we did consider using carryover funds in each of the required categories. Based on priorities and needs, the BHSS category was prioritized to:
- ensure we did not lose state-required programs and services, and
- support programs that stakeholders and system partners identified as priorities.
Question 12: Are the MHSA carryover funds (in the three categories) for one year or three years?
Response:
They are planned for three years, ensuring the $112M is available for all three years.
