California is seeking to invest more Medicaid dollars in the behavioral health workforce and provide housing assistance to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
In a waiver request submitted to CMS Oct. 20, the state requested CMS allow it to implement the California Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment, or BH-Connect, initiative.
CMS must approve states' requests to implement new approaches in Medicaid programs.
The BH-Connect program would provide six months of rent assistance to beneficiaries at risk of homelessness after leaving residential care, the child welfare system and other forms of transitional housing.
The rent assistance would be optional for counties and managed care plans to implement
The waiver also requests permission to invest Medicaid funds in the behavioral health workforce, activity stipends for children in the child welfare system and quality incentives for behavioral health providers.