The HASD&IC Biweekly Briefing provides timely news and information for HASD&IC members and associates and is published on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Key articles and issues of interest from each publication, along with the President’s Message, are included below.
Newsroom
5 Things To Know: CDPH Pauses Real-Time Bed Capacity System Implementation
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is temporarily pausing implementation of its real-time hospital bed capacity system — the Hospital Bed and Emergency Medical Services Data System — as it works to finalize operational details. After receiving authority to deploy such a system through Assembly Bill 177 (2024), the department has been working with the Hospital Association of Oregon on implementation. CDPH remains committed to completing the system and plans to re-engage hospitals later this year.
5 Things To Know: Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program to Launch in July
The Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program offers up to $250,000 per slot to help grow residency and fellowship programs, strengthening California’s behavioral health workforce and improving access to care. For more information, visit the program’s website.
5 Things To Know: San Diego County Requests Feedback on 2025-27 Recommended Budget
The County of San Diego will review the recommended budget, covering topic areas of greatest interest to the public, and solicit community input at two upcoming events: an in-person community open house at the San Diego County operations center on May 22 from 5-7 p.m. and a virtual community meeting on May 28 from 5:30-7 p.m. (PT). Visit the county budget 2025-27 website to sign up for either event — each will provide the same information and allow community members to ask questions. Public comments can also be made through June 12 at 5 p.m. (PT).
5 Things To Know: Presentation Details Behavioral Intervention for Substance Use Disorders
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.
5 Things To Know: HCAI Webinar Covers Student Loan Forgiveness for Behavioral Health Professionals
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.
Volunteers Are the Heartbeat of an Organization
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.
5 Things To Know: Clinical Town Hall Covers Tijuana River Valley Sewage Flow Troubles, CASPER Survey Results
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.
5 Things To Know: DHCS Seeks Public Comment on Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual
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.
5 Things To Know: County Budget Open House Event Aims to Educate Residents
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.
5 Things To Know: San Diego County Medi-Cal Dashboard Goes Live
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.
