Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is actively evolving our engagement opportunities as detailed in the January 24, 2025 Info Notice. New events will be posted as they become available. Check back on this webpage to stay up to date on upcoming input opportunities. For questions, please email Engage.BHS@sdcounty.ca.gov. |
Community Engagement
Check back regularly for opportunities to share your insights and feedback on key behavioral health topics. Input from engagement activities will help inform specialty mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, priorities, and future investments, and ensure local programming reflects the needs and voices of San Diego County communities. Recommendations will also guide future engagement efforts as the County prepares to implement multiple California Behavioral Health Transformation initiatives, including the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA).
You can also find information on town halls, workshops, and other community events happening near you focused on these priority areas:
- Accessibility
- Care coordination and navigation
- Community outreach and education
- Crisis response services
- Culturally appropriate and affirming care
- Support for people experiencing homelessness
- Services for youth and transition age youth
- Workforce capacity and diversity
Additionally, new community health education, promotion, and outreach efforts are underway. These reflect recent community requests for more tailored activities and materials to:
- Promote awareness and health literacy of local behavioral services and resources
- Promote stigma reduction
- Bolster socio-emotional competence and wellness
- Prevent deaths by suicide
- Prevent social isolation
- Promote substance use prevention
- Promote overdose prevention
- Engage and support youth and transition age youth
- Support behavioral health workforce training and development
Join Us for an Upcoming Activity
Past Engagement Activities
Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is dedicated to conducting meaningful engagement opportunities and bi-directional dialogues with stakeholders. This includes capturing community recommendations and sharing key learnings from recent activities. See below to access materials from recent efforts.
| Date(s) | Priority Area(s) & BHSA Stakeholder Group(s) | Discussion Focus | |
| Dec 11, 2025 | Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services | Discussion with Alcohol & Drug Services Provider Association (ADSPA) to inform the BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft. Stakeholder feedback and recommendations about SUD treatment service providers on BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals. | |
| Dec 9, 2025 | Early childhood organizations | Discussions with stakeholders related to “Early Intervention” were held to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan Draft. Feedback and recommendations focused on early intervention, prevention, youth mental wellness, and solutions that can strengthen community stability given BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals. | |
| Youths (individuals with lived experience) or youth mental health or substance use disorder organizations | |||
| Dec 5, 2025 | Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services | Discussions with San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Social Work Masters of Social Work (MSW) Training Program related to “Behavioral Health workforce” were held to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan Draft. Feedback and recommendations to strengthen the behavioral health workforce through recruitment and training, and solutions that can strengthen community stability given BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals. | |
| Higher education Partners | |||
| Health care organizations, including hospitals | |||
| Dec 3, 2025 | Providers of mental
health services and substance use disorder treatment services
| Discussions with stakeholders related to “Behavioral Health Workforce” were held to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan Draft. Feedback and recommendations about how to strengthen the behavioral health workforce through recruitment and training, and solutions that can strengthen community stability given BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals. | |
Health care organizations, including hospitals
| |||
| Community-based organizations serving culturally and linguistically diverse constituents | |||
| Nov 20, 2025 | Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services | Discussion with Integrated Health Partners of Southern California (IHP) Behavioral Health Workgroup with federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)/Community Health Centers (CHCs) were held to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan Draft. Feedback, recommendations, and solutions that can strengthen community stability given BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals. | |
Health care organizations, including hospitals
| |||
| Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs) | |||
| Nov 19, 2025 | Providers of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services | Discussions with stakeholders related to “Substance Use Disorder Services” were held to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan Draft. Feedback and recommendations about how prevention, treatment, and recovery supports that promote wellness and long-terms recovery can strengthen community stability given BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals. | |
| Community-based organization serving culturally and linguistically diverse constituents | |||
| Nov 17, 2025 | Local education agencies | Behavioral Health Services (BHS) joined the San Diego County School Boards Association (SDCSBA) to host an informational session about services offered from the County of San Diego, BHS. This included a brief overview of Behavioral Health Service Act's (BHSA) 2026-2029 Integrated Plan introducing online ways for audience members to participate in future session and/or offer online feedback. | |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Continuums of care, including representatives from the homeless service provider community | Discussions with stakeholders related to “Housing Interventions” were held to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan Draft. Feedback and recommendations about how housing, homelessness prevention and behavioral health supports intersect, and solutions that can strengthen community stability given BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals. | |
| Providers of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services | |||
| Community-based organization serving culturally and linguistically diverse constituents | |||
| Nov 4, 2025 | Eligible adults and older adults (individuals with lived experience) | Discussions with stakeholders related to “Crisis Services” were held to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan Draft. Feedback and recommendations about how crisis response and services can better connect people to care, reduce repeat hospitalizations, and improve safety and stabilization outcomes, and solutions that can strengthen community stability given BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals. | |
| Continuums of care, including representatives from the homeless service provider community | |||
| People with lived experience of homelessness | |||
| Area agencies on aging | |||
| Local public health jurisdictions | |||
| County social services and child welfare agencies | |||
| Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services | |||
| Families of eligible children and youth, eligible adults, and eligible older adults (families with lived experience) | |||
| Community-based organizations serving culturally and linguistically diverse constituents | |||
| Representatives from organizations specializing in working with underserved racially and ethnically diverse communities | |||
| Oct 30, 2025 | Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services | Discussion with Caregivers Coalition of San Diego to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft; stakeholder feedback and recommendations about access and support for older adults and people with disabilities on BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals Activity Materials | |
| Health care organizations, including hospitals | |||
| Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs) | |||
| Oct 27, 2025 | Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services |
Discussion with Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) Re-entry Support for Justice-Involved Youth and Adults Subcommittee to gather input about behavioral health supports for people who are at risk of or have had justice involvement, including early outreach, care coordination, housing, recovery, and ongoing engagement, to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft Activity Materials
| |
| Health care organizations, including hospitals | |||
| Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs) | |||
| Oct 24, 2025 | Eligible adults and older adults (individuals with lived experience) | Discussion with stakeholders at the Consumer Feedback Town Hall with NAMI San Diego to gather public comment and feedback regarding BHSA in San Diego County. The County of San Diego provided a brief overview of BHSA followed by an open discussion guided by designated questions to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft | |
| Families of eligible children and youth, eligible adults, and eligible older adults(families with lived experience) | |||
| Oct 22, 2025 | Multi-Sector |
Behavioral Health Services (BHS) joined hundreds of community partners at the 10th Annual Live Well Advance Conference & School Summit and hosted a breakout session to share information about the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and gather input from participants to inform the BHSA 2026–2029 Integrated Plan draft Activity Materials
| |
| Oct 17, 2025 |
| Discussion with the Hospital Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties (HASD&IC) Behavioral Health Workgroup to gather hospital stakeholder input on changes with MHSA transitioning to BHSA and needed services for clients covered under them as the MHP to inform the BHSA 2026–2029 Integrated Plan draft. | |
| Health care organizations, including hospitals | |||
| Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs) | |||
| Oct 16, 2025 | Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services | Discussion with stakeholders at the Healthy San Diego Behavioral Health Operations Subcommittee meeting to gather input on improving access, equity, care coordination, and shared outcomes, while identifying opportunities for stronger collaboration between County and MCP services, to inform the BHSA 2026–2029 Integrated Plan draft. | |
| Health care organizations, including hospitals | |||
| Health care service plans, including Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs) | |||
| Oct 13, 2025 |
Care Coordination and Navigation; Community Outreach and Education |
Discussion with Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) Pathways to Continuum of Care for Children, Youth, and Adults Impacted by Alcohol and Other Drugs Subcommittee to gather input on gaps, barriers, and strategies to strengthen access and engagement across the substance use disorder (SUD) continuum of care and inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft
| |
|
Families of eligible children and youth, eligible adults, and eligible older adults (families with lived experience); Providers of mental health services and SUD treatment services | |||
| Oct 1, 2025 | Community-based organizations serving culturally and linguistically diverse constituent | BHS Data Presentation for LWSD South Region Community Leadership Team meeting focused on mental health and substance use population health data, including regional data on suicide and overdose trends; community input to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft, including stakeholder feedback and recommendations BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals | |
| Providers of mental health services and substance use disorder treatment services | |||
| Youths | |||
| Aug 14, 2025 | Culturally Appropriate and Affirming Care; Accessibility; Community Outreach and Education | Discussion with California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) and the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition (SDRCC) about behavioral health needs and challenges for refugee communities to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft; stakeholder feedback and recommendations on BHSA statewide population behavioral health goals | |
| Representatives from organizations specializing in working with underserved racially and ethnically diverse communities | |||
Aug 13, 2025 |
Services for youth and transition age youth | Discussion with NAMI Caregivers & Family members about their experience supporting youth access behavioral health resources to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft and development of a Children, Youth, and TAY Behavioral Health Continuum Framework (Youth Optimal Care Pathways ( Youth OCP Model ) for San Diego County
| |
|
Families of eligible children and youth, eligible adults, and eligible older adults | |||
| Aug 12, 2025 | Services for Youth and Transition Age Youth | Discussion
with American Academy of
Pediatrics San Diego & Imperial Counties (AAP-CA3)
about their Strategic
Behavioral Health Initiative (SBHI) and SBHI
Framework and Recommendations to inform the development
of a Youth
OCP Model for San Diego County and BHSA 2026-2029
Integrated Plan draft | |
| Early childhood organizations | |||
| Aug 7, 2025 |
Support for People Experiencing Homelessness | Continued discussion
with BHS Housing Council members on housing policies, cultural
responsiveness, and priorities to inform BHSA 2026-2029
Integrated Plan draft | |
| Continuums of care, including representatives from the homeless service provider community | |||
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 17, 2025
Jul 28, 2025 Sept 3, 2025 | Community Outreach and
Education; Suicide Prevention; Substance Use and Overdose
Prevention | Review of mental
health and substance use population health data, including
regional data on suicide and overdose trends; community input
to inform BHSA 2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft, including
stakeholder feedback and recommendations on BHSA
statewide population behavioral health goals
Activity
Materials - North Central Community Leadership
Team
Activity
Materials - East Community Leadership Team | |
| Providers of mental health services and SUD treatment services; Public safety partners, including county juvenile justice agencies, education/higher education partners, community and faith-based organizations | |||
| Jun 4, 2025 | Services for Youth and
Transition Age Youth | Discussion
with Live
Well San Diego Youth Sector about youth and transition
age youth (TAY) behavioral health needs to inform BHSA
2026-2029 Integrated Plan draft and development of a Children,
Youth, and TAY Behavioral Health Continuum
Framework (Youth Optimal Care Pathways (Youth OCP) Model)
for San Diego County | |
| Representatives from youth from historically marginalized communities | |||
| May 15, 2025 | Crisis Response
Services; Community Outreach and Education | Community workshop and resource fair at MAAC Center in Chula Vista
featuring a panel with ACL/988 , MCRT
Program , SBCS ,
and Survivors of Suicide
Loss ; input on behavioral health needs and challenges for
South Bay communities and desired future community
workshops | |
| Community-based organizations serving culturally and linguistically diverse constituents | |||
| May 1, 2025 | Support for People Experiencing Homelessness | Discussion
with BHS Housing Council members on housing policies, cultural
responsiveness, and priorities to inform BHSA 2026-2029
Integrated Plan draft | |
| Continuums of care, including representatives from the homeless service provider community | |||
Apr 29, 2025
Apr 30, 2025 | Community Outreach and Education; Crisis Response Services | Overview of behavioral health crisis response
resources including Access
and Crisis Line (ACL)/988 , Crisis
Stabilization Units (CSUs ), and Mobile
Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Program ; community input to
refine outreach and messaging efforts for these
services | |
| Providers of mental health services and SUD treatment services; Public safety partners, including county juvenile justice agencies, education/higher education partners, community and faith-based organizations | |||
| Oct 28, 2024 | Culturally
Appropriate and Affirming Care; Community Outreach and
Education | Discussion with Live
Well San Diego Central Community Leadership Team about
behavioral health needs and challenges for Black/African
American communities; community input to inform outreach and
public messaging campaigns for Black/African American
adults | |
| Representatives from organizations specializing in working with underserved racially and ethnically diverse communities |
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