New Year, New Challenges, New Resolve
Amie Miller, PsyD., Executive Director
We’re beginning the new year at CalMHSA with equal measures of gratitude and awareness — gratitude for what we’ve accomplished alongside you, awareness that we must all continue evolving if we’re going to meet the challenges of an incredibly dynamic world. This year promises yet more transformation in public behavioral health, and we’re looking ahead toward how we can help as you navigate those changes.
We’re at our best when our work allows your teams to do what they do best: care for those who need you. As the state tackles a mountain of policy proposals, voters address a ballot measure that affects MHSA funding and ongoing regulatory updates loom, we see opportunities to lend our expertise in meaningful ways.
Many of those opportunities will take the form of evolution — refining and advancing the long-term programs we’ve established with your partnership:
- The semi-statewide EHR that has grown from 23 to 26 participating counties and now serves 35% of the state’s Medi-Cal population
- The Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist program, which has certified more than 2,600 individuals statewide and continues to extend its reach to more peer communities and with new offerings
- Prevention and Early Intervention activities that can and should respond to our changing landscape and, most importantly, the wellness needs of Californians everywhere
- BHQIP knowledge and resources, through which we are now positioned to assist counties with upcoming Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures reporting requirements
Other avenues where we can deploy our expertise include new ways to help ease your workforce challenges, research and data that accurately depict your monumental efforts on behalf of your communities, and campaigns that generate greater public awareness of those efforts.
There’s more, of course — and some that we’re not even yet aware of. Regardless, we’re here for you, committed to making an impact and striving to match your commitment to the individuals in your care.
Finally, we’ll soon be launching a major initiative to help educate the public about all you do to help people who are unhoused in your communities. Please look for an email invitation to learn more about it, and plan to join us.
January 25, 2024