POLICY PRIORITIES
Key Advocacy Areas and Projects for FY 26-27
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 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 service 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.
Engage in advocacy related to supportive and flexible implementation of BHSA and new program requirements relative to funding changes.
Child Welfare
Coordinate and partner with the California Alliance on fiscal advocacy for FFAs and STRTPs, including current funding needs and the future CDSS Tiered Rate Structure.
Continue to advocate for adequate County established rates and County support of advocacy asks at the state level to support program sustainability.
Collaborate with the County and stakeholders to implement solutions to the insurance crisis
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 transformation.
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.
Monitor and address alignment of local and state initiatives, processes, and expectations to ensure coordination across systems.
Create opportunities for providers to explore contracting with MCPs and share information regarding CalAIM resources.
Advocate for caseload ratios that support access to care while maintaining quality of care and client engagement, as well as supporting recruitment and retention.
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 improved partnership with DCFS staff.
Participate in and support County efforts to address disproportionality through enhanced training, resources, and reunification support.
Identify and advocate for improved THP contracts that support effective TAY housing programs and increased 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.
Support County implementation efforts of 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 with the highest needs who are not properly and safely served in the current system.
Actively participate in County workgroups, such as the Education Table, Community Pathways Policy Table, and TAY Table, to uplift provider perspective on system issues.