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HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY - Executive Director Michelle Schmidt & Mental Health Services Act Coordinator Travis Lyon
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Requested Action(s)
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a) INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION - Presentation of the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) Data Notebook 2026 for California Behavioral Health Boards and Commissions
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Financial Impact:
No financial impact.
Background Information:
The Data Notebook is a structured format to review information and report on aspects of each county’s behavioral health services. A different part of the public behavioral health system is addressed each year, because the overall system is large and complex. This system includes both mental health and substance use treatment services designed for individuals across the lifespan.
Local behavioral health boards/commissions (local boards) are required to review performance outcomes data for their county and to report their findings to the California Behavioral Health Planning Council (Planning Council). To provide structure for the report and to make the reporting easier, each year a Data Notebook is created for local boards to complete and submit to the Planning Council. Discussion questions seek input from local boards and their departments. Planning Council staff analyze these responses to create annual reports to inform policy makers and the public.
The present goal, in 2026, is to focus on the behavioral health needs of foster youth and children. The current Data Notebook project and survey seek to increase understanding of how behavioral health services are provided to foster youth and how those services are coordinated with local departments of social services and with contracted agencies and service providers.