Oct 8, 2024
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) leads the efforts on Behavioral Health Transformation which is the effort that will implement the ballot initiative known as Proposition 1. Behavioral Health Transformation complements and builds on California’s other major behavioral health initiatives including, but not limited to, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, the California Behavioral Health Community-Based Organization Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Demonstration proposal, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis, 988 expansion, and the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP).
Californians voted to pass Proposition 1 to modernize the behavioral health delivery system, improve accountability and increase transparency, and expand the capacity of behavioral health care facilities for Californians. Proposition 1 includes up to $6.4 billion in bonds to build new supportive housing and community-based treatment settings. DHCS is enacting changes resulting from Proposition 1 through the Behavioral Health Transformation project.
More information can be found on the Behavioral Health Transformation website.
This project receives funding from Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) through California’s Opioid Settlements.
Oct 8, 2024
The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) supported the development and procurement of a lower cost, generic version of a naloxone nasal product. In partnership with Amneal Pharmaceuticals, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) makes naloxone more accessible statewide. Through this investment, announced as part of Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis, the DHCS Naloxone Distribution Project, will be able to distribute even more naloxone to communities in need and support California’s fight against the opioid epidemic.
California’s partnership with Amneal providing naloxone nasal spray at a significantly lower price, is already benefiting Californians. In May 2024, the state purchased approximately 24,000 units for the California Department of Health Care Services Naloxone Distribution Project, leading to $415,000 in savings.
The CalRx®-branded over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone nasal spray, 4mg, labeled either as “CalRx” or “Amneal” is now available for free to eligible organizations through the Naloxone Distribution Project. California business entities and organizations seeking to purchase CalRx® OTC naloxone HCL nasal spray, 4 mg, for $24 per box, can do so by visiting CalRx®’s Get Naloxone.
The opioid crisis remains a major public health challenge, with thousands of lives lost each year due to overdoses. Naloxone is a critical tool in combating the opioid crisis, capable of reversing opioid overdoses swiftly and effectively. By making CalRx®-branded naloxone nasal spray readily accessible, California is taking a significant step toward reducing the number of opioid-related deaths and ensuring that OTC naloxone is available when and where it is needed most.
More information about California’s CalRx®-Branded Naloxone can be found on HCAI’s website.
This project receives funding from Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) through California’s Opioid Settlements.
Oct 8, 2024
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH)/Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch (SAPB) provides fentanyl program grants to increase local efforts in education, testing, recovery, and support services to implement Chapter 783, Statutes of 2022 (AB 2365). In 2023, CDPH-SAPB awarded six one-time grants allocated by region: two in Northern California, two in the Central Valley, and two in Southern California. The total funding period will span three years until February 2027.
More information about the Fentanyl Overdose Prevention Grant can be found on the CDPH website.
Additional information on the Overdose Prevention Initiative (OPI) including the CA Overdose Surveillance Dashboard can be found on the Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch (SAPB) website.
This project receives funding from Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) through California’s Opioid Settlements.
Oct 8, 2024
The California Department of Public Health/Office of AIDS (OA) provides grants to local health jurisdictions and community-based organizations to support overdose prevention and harm reduction activities, including treatment navigators.
The initiative launched earlier this year and will fund frontline staff at up to 72 syringe services programs (SSPs) through June 2027. CDPH partnered with The Center at Sierra Health Foundation to make funds available in three cycles which began in March 2024, with a maximum total award of $600,000 per program. To date, 55 programs have received awards, and The Center at Sierra Health Foundation will award additional programs in 2025, with a focus on organizations led by or serving Black/African American, Indigenous and People of Color in high-need areas. More information can be found on The Center’s webpage on the initiative.
Additional harm reduction information can be found on OA’s webpage on Syringe Services Programs.
This project receives funding from Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) through California’s Opioid Settlements.
Oct 8, 2024
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) established a pilot program, Integrating Employment in Recovery, to provide training to substance use treatment facilities on incorporating evidence-based employment services into recovery programs. Through the program, DOR provides vocational rehabilitation employment services co-located in targeted treatment centers throughout the state to serve diverse communities as an integral part of behavioral health treatment.
In FY 2022-2023, four treatment centers were selected to serve in the pilot, based on their abilities to serve diverse populations and offer a variety of services. Individuals in treatment received vocational programming from peer specialists on topics such as career exploration, resume development, interviewing techniques, and self-advocacy.
Studies show that individuals who are employed are more likely to feel integrated into their communities after treatment, and less likely to relapse. Employment provides many benefits for individuals in treatment for substance use disorders, including stable income, positive social connections, and a sense of self-sufficiency. Historically, however, employment and career training has been a secondary focus in substance use treatment programs.
This project receives funding from Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) through California’s Opioid Settlements.
