Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is actively evolving our engagement opportunities as detailed in the January 24, 2025 Info Notice. New events will be posted as they become available. Check back on this webpage to stay up to date on upcoming input opportunities. For questions, please email Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Connect with BHS

Community Engagement

Check back regularly for opportunities to share your insights and feedback on key behavioral health topics. Input from engagement activities will help inform specialty mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, priorities, and future investments, and ensure local programming reflects the needs and voices of San Diego County communities. Recommendations will also guide future engagement efforts as the County prepares to implement multiple California Behavioral Health Transformation initiatives, including the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). 

You can also find information on town halls, workshops, and other community events happening near you focused on these priority areas:

  • Accessibility
  • Care coordination and navigation  
  • Community outreach and education  
  • Crisis response services  
  • Culturally appropriate and affirming care  
  • Support for people experiencing homelessness  
  • Services for youth and transition age youth  
  • Workforce capacity and diversity 

Additionally, new community health education, promotion, and outreach efforts are underway. These reflect recent community requests for more tailored activities and materials to:

  • Promote awareness and health literacy of local behavioral services and resources
  • Promote stigma reduction
  • Bolster socio-emotional competence and wellness
  • Prevent deaths by suicide
  • Prevent social isolation
  • Promote substance use prevention
  • Promote overdose prevention
  • Engage and support youth and transition age youth
  • Support behavioral health workforce training and development

 

Join Us for an Upcoming Activity

SDC Image Cards Upcoming Activities (a.cabal) - 20

Medi-Cal Transformation Community Events

Connect with BHS staff at the Medi-Cal Transformation community events being hosted Sept-Dec 2025! Each event includes information and resources, including opportunities to provide input on behavioral health needs and priorities as part of BHSA Community Planning Process activities. For more information and dates for upcoming events, please click here.
SDC Image Cards Upcoming Activities (a.cabal) - 10.24.25 Town Hall

Provide Public Comment to CDPH on Phase 2

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is collecting public comment on Phase 2 of its CDPH Behavioral Health Services Act: Population-Based Prevention Program Guide through 11:59 PM PST Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Under BHSA, responsibility and funding for population-based prevention programs shift from county management to state management under CDPH. Local stakeholders are encouraged to submit their input to elevate San Diego County's prevention priorities, inquiries, and recommendations.
SDC Image Cards Upcoming Activities (a.cabal) - 12/3 BH Workforce Session

BHSA Input Session: Behavioral Health Workforce

Session is open to the public and will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 10:00am-11:30am. Join and participate in an input session focused on examining strategies to strengthen the behavioral health workforce — from recruitment and training to retention and well-being. Click here to register!
SDC Image Cards Upcoming Activities (a.cabal) - 12/3 BH Workforce Session (2)

BHSA Input Session: Behavioral Health Workforce

Session is open to the public and will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Join and participate in an input session focused on examining strategies to strengthen the behavioral health workforce — from recruitment and training to retention and well-being. Click here to register!
SDC Image Cards Upcoming Activities (a.cabal) - 12/9 Early Intervention Session

BHSA Input Session: Early Intervention

Session is open to the public and will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 10:00am-11:30am. Join and participate in an input session focused on early intervention, prevention, and youth mental wellness, before holiday school breaks. Click here to register!
SDC Image Cards Upcoming Activities (a.cabal) - 12/9 Early Intervention Session (2)

BHSA Input Session: Early Intervention

Session is open to the public and will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Join and participate in an input session focused on early intervention, prevention, and youth mental wellness, before holiday school breaks. Click here to register!

Past Engagement Activities

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is dedicated to conducting meaningful engagement opportunities and bi-directional dialogues with stakeholders. This includes capturing community recommendations and sharing key learnings from recent activities. See below to access materials from recent efforts.

 

Date(s) Priority Area(s) & BHSA Stakeholder Group(s) Discussion Focus
Oct 30, 2025 Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services

Discussion with Caregivers Coalition of San Diego to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft; stakeholder feedback and recommendations about access and support for older adults and people with disabilities on BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals

Activity Materials
Health care organizations, including hospitals
Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs)
Oct 27, 2025 Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services

 

Discussion with Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) Re-entry Support for Justice-Involved Youth and Adults Subcommittee to gather input about behavioral health supports for people who are at risk of or have had justice involvement, including early outreach, care coordination, housing, recovery, and ongoing engagement, to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft

Activity Materials

 

 
Health care organizations, including hospitals
Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs)
Oct 24, 2025 Eligible adults and older adults (individuals with lived experience) 

Discussion with stakeholders at the Consumer Feedback Town Hall with NAMI San Diego to gather public comment and feedback regarding BHSA in San Diego County. The County of San Diego provided a brief overview of BHSA followed by an open discussion guided by designated questions to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft

Activity Materials
Families of eligible children and youth, eligible adults, and eligible older adults(families with lived experience)
Oct 22, 2025 Multi-Sector

 

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) joined hundreds of community partners at the 10th Annual Live Well Advance Conference & School Summit and hosted a breakout session to share information about the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and gather input from participants to inform the BHSA 2026–2029 Integrated Plan draft

Activity Materials

 

 
Oct 17, 2025

Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services

Discussion with the  Hospital Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties (HASD&IC) Behavioral Health Workgroup to gather hospital stakeholder input on changes with MHSA transitioning to BHSA and needed services for clients covered under them as the MHP to inform the BHSA 2026–2029 Integrated Plan draft.

Activity Materials
Health care organizations, including hospitals
Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs)
Oct 16, 2025 Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services

Discussion with stakeholders at the Healthy San Diego Behavioral Health Operations Subcommittee meeting to gather input on improving access, equity, care coordination, and shared outcomes, while identifying opportunities for stronger collaboration between County and MCP services, to inform the BHSA 2026–2029 Integrated Plan draft.

Activity Materials
Health care organizations, including hospitals
Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs)
Oct 13, 2025

Care Coordination and Navigation; Community Outreach and Education

 

Discussion with Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) Pathways to Continuum of Care for Children, Youth, and Adults Impacted by Alcohol and Other Drugs Subcommittee to gather input on gaps, barriers, and strategies to strengthen access and engagement across the substance use disorder (SUD) continuum of care and inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft

 

Activity Materials

 

Families of eligible children and youth, eligible adults, and eligible older adults (families with lived experience); Providers of mental health services and SUD treatment services
Oct 1, 2025 Community-based organizations serving culturally and linguistically diverse constituent

BHS Data Presentation for LWSD South Region Community Leadership Team meeting focused on mental health and substance use population health data, including regional data on suicide and overdose trends; community input to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft, including stakeholder feedback and recommendations  BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals

Activity Materials
Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services
Youths
Aug 14, 2025 Culturally Appropriate and Affirming Care; Accessibility; Community Outreach and Education

Discussion with California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) and the  San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition  (SDRCC) about behavioral health needs and challenges for refugee communities to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft; stakeholder feedback and recommendations on  BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals

Activity Materials
Representatives from organizations specializing in working with underserved racially and ethnically diverse communities 

Aug 13, 2025

Services for youth and transition age youth

Discussion with NAMI Caregivers & Family members about their experience supporting youth access behavioral health resources to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft and development of a Children, Youth, and TAY Behavioral Health Continuum Framework (Youth Optimal Care Pathways ( Youth OCP Model ) for San Diego County    

   

Activity Materials

 

Families of eligible children and youth, eligible adults, and eligible older adults
Aug 12, 2025 Services for Youth and Transition Age Youth

Discussion with American Academy of Pediatrics San Diego & Imperial Counties (AAP-CA3) about their Strategic Behavioral Health Initiative (SBHI) and SBHI Framework and Recommendations to inform the development of a Youth OCP Model for San Diego County and BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft 

Activity Materials 
Early childhood organizations
Aug 7, 2025

Support for People Experiencing Homelessness

Continued discussion with BHS Housing Council members on housing policies, cultural responsiveness, and priorities to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft 

Activity Materials
Continuums of care, including representatives from the homeless service provider community

Jul 9, 2025

Jul 17, 2025 

Jul 28, 2025 

Sept 3, 2025

 Community Outreach and Education; Suicide Prevention; Substance Use and Overdose Prevention

Review of mental health and substance use population health data, including regional data on suicide and overdose trends; community input to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft, including stakeholder feedback and recommendations on  BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals  

Activity Materials - North Central Community Leadership Team 

Activity Materials - East Community Leadership Team 

Activity Materials - Central Community Leadership Team 

Activity Materials - North County Community Leadership Team  
Providers of mental health services and SUD treatment services; Public safety partners, including county juvenile justice agencies, education/higher education partners, community and faith-based organizations
Jun 4, 2025 Services for Youth and Transition Age Youth

Discussion with Live Well San Diego Youth Sector about youth and transition age youth (TAY) behavioral health needs to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft and development of a Children, Youth, and TAY Behavioral Health Continuum Framework (Youth Optimal Care Pathways (Youth OCP) Model) for San Diego County 

Activity Materials
Representatives from youth from historically marginalized communities
May 15, 2025 Crisis Response Services; Community Outreach and Education

Community workshop and resource fair at MAAC Center in Chula Vista featuring a panel with ACL/988 ,  MCRT Program , SBCS , and Survivors of Suicide Loss ; input on behavioral health needs and challenges for South Bay communities and desired future community workshops 

Activity Materials 
Community-based organizations serving culturally and linguistically diverse constituents
May 1, 2025 Support for People Experiencing Homelessness

Discussion with BHS Housing Council members on housing policies, cultural responsiveness, and priorities to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft 

Activity Materials 
Continuums of care, including representatives from the homeless service provider community

Apr 29, 2025 

Apr 30, 2025 

 Community Outreach and Education; Crisis Response Services

Overview of behavioral health crisis response resources including Access and Crisis Line (ACL)/988 , Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs ), and Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Program ; community input to refine outreach and messaging efforts for these services 

Activity Materials 
Providers of mental health services and SUD treatment services; Public safety partners, including county juvenile justice agencies, education/higher education partners, community and faith-based organizations
Oct 28, 2024 Culturally Appropriate and Affirming Care; Community Outreach and Education

Discussion with Live Well San Diego Central Community Leadership Team about behavioral health needs and challenges for Black/African American communities; community input to inform outreach and public messaging campaigns for Black/African American adults 

Activity Materials
Representatives from organizations specializing in working with underserved racially and ethnically diverse communities