California Behavioral Health Directors Association

California Behavioral Health Directors Association
Name	California Behavioral Health Directors Association
Abbreviation	CBHDA
Formed	1992
Headquarters	Sacramento, California
Region served	California
Membership	County behavioral health directors
Leader title	Executive Director

California Behavioral Health Directors Association is a statewide association representing county mental health and substance use disorder directors across California. It serves as a coordinating body for public behavioral health leadership, facilitating collaboration among county administrators, state agencies, and federal partners. The association engages with regulatory bodies, legislative bodies, and advocacy organizations to influence statewide policy and funding for publicly funded behavioral health programs.

History

The association was established in the early 1990s amid reforms following the passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and ongoing implementation of the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63), building on networks formed during the administration of California governors including Pete Wilson and Gray Davis. Early activity included coordinating with the California Department of Health Care Services and the California State Association of Counties to respond to shifts prompted by federal actions such as the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and state-level efforts exemplified by the passage of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act reforms. Over successive administrations—including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Brown, and Gavin Newsom—the association expanded its role in advising state budget processes, participating in hearings before the California State Legislature and working with agencies such as the Department of Mental Health (California) precursor entities and successor offices.

Mission and Objectives

The association's mission centers on strengthening county behavioral health systems by promoting access to services, improving quality of care, and ensuring fiscal sustainability. Core objectives include advancing implementation of statewide initiatives such as the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63), enhancing coordination with the Medicaid program as administered through Medi-Cal, and supporting compliance with federal statutes like the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 where applicable. The organization also prioritizes workforce development, data-driven practice, and integration with primary care systems exemplified by partnerships with entities like the California Primary Care Association and academic collaborators including the University of California, San Francisco.

Membership and Governance

Membership is composed primarily of appointed and career county behavioral health directors from counties such as Los Angeles County, San Diego County, San Francisco County, and rural jurisdictions like Siskiyou County. Governance structures mirror nonprofit association models used by groups such as the California State Association of Counties and the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors, featuring an elected board of directors, executive committees, and standing workgroups. The association collaborates with stakeholders including the California Association of Local Behavioral Health Boards and Commissions, labor unions like the Service Employees International Union, and academic centers such as the RAND Corporation for policy evaluation.

Programs and Services

Programs include technical assistance for implementation of evidence-based practices promoted by institutions like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and training initiatives developed in collaboration with universities such as University of California, Los Angeles and California State University, Sacramento. The association convenes annual conferences with speakers from organizations such as the Kaiser Family Foundation, Mental Health America, and the California Health Care Foundation to discuss topics including crisis response models like the Crisis Intervention Team model and alternatives such as the CAHOOTS program. It provides guidance on quality metrics aligned with standards from the National Committee for Quality Assurance and supports counties in applying for federal grants from agencies like the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Advocacy and Policy Initiatives

The association conducts advocacy before the California State Legislature and executive agencies, submitting analyses on state budget bills, mental health parity matters under the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, and implementation of behavioral health provisions in the Affordable Care Act. It has participated in stakeholder workgroups addressing involuntary treatment statutes related to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and county responsibilities under the Welfare and Institutions Code (California). The association works with allied organizations such as the California Hospital Association, California Medical Association, and consumer groups including National Alliance on Mental Illness California chapters to shape policy on homelessness, co-occurring disorders, and crisis services.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding streams include membership dues, contracts with state entities such as the California Health and Human Services Agency, and grants from foundations like the Gates Foundation and California Endowment. Partnerships span federal agencies including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, philanthropic organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and research partners like Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. The association collaborates with managed care entities operating under Medi-Cal Managed Care and behavioral health plans including local mental health plans in counties like Orange County.

Impact and Outcomes

Through coordination and technical support, the association has influenced statewide adoption of programs improving access to crisis care, integrated behavioral health-primary care models, and expanded use of evidence-based interventions for serious mental illness and substance use disorders. Outcomes attributed to its work include enhanced county readiness for Medi-Cal behavioral health reforms, contributions to policy language in state budget acts, and improved cross-jurisdictional coordination during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluations conducted with partners like the HHS and academic centers have documented improvements in service delivery metrics, though challenges persist in rural access and workforce shortages noted by the California HealthCare Foundation.

Category:Organizations based in Sacramento, California Category:Mental health organizations in California