POLICY PRIORITIES
Key Advocacy Areas and Projects for FY 25-26
ACHSA will continue to engage in advocacy to address systemic programmatic and implementation issues identified by the membership during the fiscal year.
* ACHSA will, in addition to these key advocacy areas and projects, dedicate necessary resources to address important emerging issues that develop throughout the year.
Strengthening Provider Sustainability
Mental Health
Participate in collaborative planning with DMH to design future rate structures and BH-CONNECT reimbursement models that support access to care across the system, continued provision of field-based services, and workforce recruitment and retention.
Advocate for contract growth in alignment with reimbursement rates to ensure continued access to care for individuals and communities.
Advocate for timely and reliable claiming systems and payment processes to minimize operational challenges for providers during the transition to new reimbursement models.
Participate in advocacy at the local, state, and federal level to preserve Medicaid funding.
Provide technical assistance, facilitate peer support opportunities, and develop shared resources related to the CalAIM payment reform transition.
Child Welfare
Coordinate and partner with the California Alliance on fiscal advocacy for FFAs and STRTPs, including immediate funding needs and the CDSS Tiered Rate Structure.
Continue to advocate for adequate County established rates to support program sustainability.
Explore and advocate for diversification options for out-of-home care providers.
Explore and increase member awareness of opportunities in prevention as the L.A. County prevention landscape evolves across systems.
Supporting Members to Serve Communities
Mental Health
Collaborate with DMH to examine and address barriers to access to care, through implementation of well-supported and flexible policies and processes.
Provide technical assistance, facilitate peer support opportunities, and develop shared resources related to BHSA and BH-CONNECT implementation.
Leverage workforce initiatives and opportunities to maintain and expand access to care across system levels and populations.
Advocate for clear and reasonable contract expectations that support member agencies to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible in service to communities.
Enhance engagement with the Department of Health Services to highlight challenges related to rates and documentation standards for Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) that impede program stability and access to care.
Examine and address alignment of local and state initiatives, processes, and expectations to ensure coordination across systems.
Consult and coordinate with CAADPE to address SUD issues raised by members.
Create opportunities for providers to explore contracting with MCPs and share information regarding ECM and CS resources.
Child Welfare
Advocate for reasonable operationalization of contract requirements.
Increase County awareness of the prevention provider network readiness and advocate for sustainability of prevention programs in L.A. County.
Address barriers to care for children through improving partnership with and support from DCFS staff.
Participate in and support Foster Together Network efforts to address disproportionality through enhanced training, resources, and reunification supports.
Identify and advocate for creative solutions that create greater transitional housing capacity for TAY in L.A. County.
Shaping the County Vision
Mental Health
Engage in advocacy related to the implementation of BHSA and BH-CONNECT in L.A. County, including active participation in the BHSA Community Planning Process, with a focus on sustained access to care.
Advocate with the state and county for clarity and coordination in the implementation of High-Fidelity Wraparound across systems.
Participate in planning for behavioral health administrative integration in L.A. County, working in collaboration with the County Departments.
Support County implementation efforts focused on ECM for the child welfare population of focus.
Child Welfare
Advocate for implementation of recommendations related to County future use of FFAs and STRTPS and prepare FFAs and STRTPs for shifts in County vision.
Based on direction from ACHSA members, collaborate with the County to improve care for youth presenting at the highest level of need who are not properly and safely served in the current system.
Participate in and support Education Coordinating Council efforts to uplift the educational achievement of systems-involved youth by addressing issue areas such as chronic absenteeism and youth engagement.