The San Diego County Substance Use and Overdose Prevention Taskforce will hold a free online presentation on June 13 from 10 a.m. to noon (PT) to talk about contingency management — an evidence-based behavioral intervention that uses tangible rewards to reinforce positive behaviors — and its effectiveness in supporting recovery and reduce overdose risk. Registration is open.
On May 13 from 3-4:30 p.m. (PT), the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) will host an informational webinar on its loan repayment program. Geared toward behavioral health leaders and workforce partners who support or employ behavioral health professionals, the webinar will discuss how to reduce educational debt for behavioral health professionals who serve Medi-Cal members and underserved communities, which behavioral health professions qualify, what service obligations are required, and more.
Next week, health care leaders throughout the San Diego region will join to honor and celebrate the women and men who give selflessly to support hospitals.
A webinar held by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency and the San Diego Medical Society — intended for licensed and other essential medical professionals within the community — will cover the current transboundary sewage flow situation. Presenters will also share what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey results reveal about how sewage and pollution affect patients who live or work in the Tijuana River Valley area. Registration for the event, held April 30 from 6-7 p.m. (PT), is open.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released significant updates to the Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual and opened the public comment period for the Module 3 draft. This draft provides clear guidance on integrated plan submission and approval processes, budget templates, integrated plan templates, and measures for population goals. It will support counties as they prepare to submit their first integrated plans in 2026. Online comments and feedback are encouraged and accepted until 4 p.m. (PT) on April 25.
The County of San Diego is hosting a Budget Informational Open House at the Kearny Mesa Operations Center on April 17 from 5-7 p.m., where the community can learn about the budget planning process and how to get involved, as well as services the county offers. Staff members are currently working on a balanced recommended 2025-2026 budget to present to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on May 1, which would go into effect July 1 if approved.
San Diego County’s new Medi-Cal Dashboard contains key insights on Medi-Cal beneficiaries by health delivery system (fee-for-service and managed care) and by Medicare enrollment status (dually enrolled in Medicare and Medi-Cal, and Medi-Cal only). HASD&IC participated in the review process group that supported the county in bringing this valuable tool to the community.
On May 8 from 8-11 a.m. (PT), the San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center Threat Liaison Officer Unit is hosting an introductory Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO) training to raise participants’ awareness about the risk factors, triggers, stressors, and warning behaviors that may affect a person’s decision to commit an act of targeted violence. This awareness enhances a person’s ability to identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate. Registration is open.
The HASD&IC Board of Directors convened on March 19. Board Chair and Palomar Health CEO Diane Hansen, CPA, officiated.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the American College of Healthcare Executives Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Houston, Texas, alongside more than 7,000 colleagues from across the country. It was an incredible opportunity to connect, reflect, and look ahead in the ever-evolving health care landscape. Amid the daily demands of our work, this gathering provided a moment to pause and appreciate what we have accomplished at HASD&IC and with our regional partners — while also acknowledging the work still ahead to ensure all Californians have access to reliable, high-quality care.