CA Health & Human Services

Image of a father and two children embracing the mother, who is a veteran, in their home. The text "Hope Lives Here" and "Honoring those who served. Thank you veterans!" is displayed, along with the Cal HHS and CalHOPE logos.

#CalHOPE offers safe, secure & culturally sensitive emotional support to all Californians, including veterans! Hope lives here at calhope.org.

Image featuring a smiling caregiver adjusting the hearing aid of an older individual who is looking at a smartphone, with the text "Celebrate and honor family caregivers."

The Family Caregiver Support program supports unpaid adult caregivers who are helping someone with day-to-day needs.

Access these services through Area Agencies on Aging by calling 800-510-2020. #NFCMonth

An adult pushing a shopping cart with a child in a supermarket aisle, under the text 'Help is here while CalFresh Benefits are restored'.

📢 Important info for CalFresh recipients:
Help is here while your benefits are being restored.
Visit @CaliforniaDSS FAQ page for a list of available resources: https://bit.ly/4p4xOLv
You can also reach out to local food banks or call 211 for help finding community resources.

Two smiling individuals with colorful makeup stand close together under text promoting the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline, sponsored by Cal HHS.

ICYMI: In July, CalHHS partnered with the Trevor Project to provide the state’s 988 crisis counselors enhanced competency training from experts, ensuring better attunement to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, on top of the specific training they already receive.

Many Californians of all ages provide loved ones with essential care & support, like driving to the doctor & even complex, hands-on medical care.

This National Family Caregivers Month, find resources & local support services near you at aging.ca.gov/aging_resources.

As a major storm moves through California this week, remember that simple steps save lives.

Stay informed & prepared, and sign up for local emergency alerts now at listoscalifornia.org/alerts. 📲 Learn more at ready.ca.gov. #CAwx #California

Promotional poster by CalHHS stating 'November is homelessness awareness month.' Features an image of a person in warm clothing lying on the ground covered with a blanket, emphasizing the importance of addressing unsheltered homelessness.

The SAFE Task Force brings together expertise & programs from across state agencies to provide emergency management, social services, health care, drug treatment & public safety support to people experiencing homelessness. #HomelessnessAwarenessMonth

Promotional poster by CDPH encouraging individuals 65 and older to stay updated with COVID-19 vaccines, featuring a smiling older adult woman showing the bandage on her arm where vaccinated.

Nothing has changed with COVID-19 recommendations for adults 65+. Older adults still face the highest risk from COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be safe and effective. Protect yourself. Stay up to date on your vaccines.

An individual in a medical uniform hold hands with another person. Text reads, "CARE Act. Community. Assistance. Recovery. Empowerment. The CARE Act is a pathway to help Californians on the road to healing." Logo of Cal HHS in the corner.

By providing mental health & wraparound services to those with severe untreated or undertreated behavioral health conditions, the CARE Act aims to reduce hospitalization, homelessness & incarceration in California. 📲 chhs.ca.gov/care-act

A child dressed in traditional Día de los Muertos makeup stands between two adults at a candlelit celebration, with decorations and an ambiance reflecting the festive spirit of the holiday. Text reads "Día de los Muertos." The Cal HHS logo appears in the top right corner.

Feliz Día de los Muertos to our Latino community across the state celebrating the memory of departed loved ones today, tomorrow & beyond. #DíaDeLosMuertos 💀🌹

Happy Halloween! Image featuring a group of joyful children in costumes celebrating Halloween, with decorative elements like bats, spiders, and spider webs. Text reads 'Happy Halloween!' and includes the Cal HHS logo.

Spooky season is also flu vaccine season! 🍂 Everyone 6 months+ should get a flu vaccine.

Also, get vaccinated against COVID-19 + RSV (if eligible). Visit MyTurn.ca.gov. Happy Halloween, California! 🦇🎃

An image of a woman supporting another woman, with text that says, 'Everyone deserves access to care.' The logo of CalHHS is displayed, promoting support through Prop 1 funding for local health services and substance abuse treatment.

The SAFE Task Force is advancing California's strategy to address the homelessness crisis, bringing services & shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness along state rights-of-way in California’s ten largest cities.

To advance our goal of a healthy California for all, we need research that is representative of ALL Californians. By making clinical research more representative of California’s diversity, research reduces health disparities, and promotes health innovation for all California communities.” Kim Johnson, CalHHS Secretary

California has announced two Requests for Applications for innovative research proposals in ‘representative research’ with the goal of including underrepresented populations, who have been underrecognized or historically excluded, as participants. 📲 ciapm.chhs.ca.gov/activity/research

CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson with Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta.

As the federal government shutdown disrupts critical food benefits, food banks across the state are available to assist Californians in need.

Dial 2-1-1 to speak with someone about services available in your area, or find a local food bank near you at cafoodbanks.org/our-members.

Talk to a food bank Reach out to your local food bank for a list of places you can get food in your area.

Locate food banks and pantries near you.

Need help now? Call 2-1-1 anytime for free, 24/7 support connecting you to local food and community services.

As the ongoing federal government shutdown disrupts critical food benefits, food banks across the state are available to assist Californians in need.

Last week, Governor Newsom fast-tracked $80 million to food banks throughout the state to help address cuts to food benefits.

Webinar CalHHS Connect: How Federal Policy Changes are Impacting a Healthy California for All YouTube.com/@calhhs

Meet the speakers Kim Johnson, Secretary, Health & Human Services Michelle Baass, Director, Health Care Services Jennifer Troia, Director, Social Services Elizabeth Landsberg, Director, Health Care Access & Information

ICYMI: CalHHS leaders share updates on HR 1 efforts in California and the rural health transformation opportunity. 📺 youtube.com/live/DgYyPSkmkHQ

#CYBHI Director Dr. Sohil Sud joined Brain Days to uplift California’s nation-leading work to reimagine behavioral health for children & youth.

Early support. School partnerships. Family-centered care. Bold change is underway and already making a difference. #UNGA80

Governor Newsom announces CalRx insulin, $11 a pen, will soon be available for purchase. The image shows an illustration of an insulin pen with the CalRx logo.

People should not go into debt to receive lifesaving medication. Through the CalRx® initiative, California is making prescription drugs more affordable for Californians.

With grants from the #CYBHI, Watsonville, CA will soon have a new perinatal treatment center to enable more women receiving treatment for substance use to recover while staying with their families. Meet Sarah, a mother who’s benefitted from the program. #SubstanceUsePrevention

Webinar CalHHS Connect: How Federal Policy Changes are Impacting a Healthy California for All Monday, October 27 at 10am

Meet the speakers Kim Johnson, Secretary, Health & Human Services Michelle Baass, Director, Health Care Services Jennifer Troia, Director, Social Services Elizabeth Landsberg, Director, Health Care Access & Information

Next week, CalHHS will host a webinar on the latest efforts to address H.R. 1's impacts on safety-net programs in California and provide an update on the state’s application for the Rural Health Transformation Program: https://bit.ly/4qjEoip

With funding from the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 4: Children and Youth, Hope Forward now includes a new Children’s Crisis Residential Program in Santa Cruz County.

Promotional poster for DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Features a hand tipping over a pill bottle with tablets spilling out onto a yellow background. The Cal HHS logo appears on the bottom right corner.

California, the next National Prescription Drug #TakeBackDay is Saturday 10/25 from 10am to 2pm. 💊

Have any prescription medications you no longer need?

Find a collection site near you to properly dispose of any unneeded medications at www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Grand opening of the allcove San Juan Capistrano

Logo of "allcove" in lowercase black letters mounted on a light-colored wall.

Wall with text displaying the mission, vision, and values, focused on increasing mental health access and intervention for youth in south Orange County.

Congrats to our partners & all the youth on the grand opening of the allcove San Juan Capistrano, a youth-designed space that will support their behavioral health & shape community for years to come! 🎉

Expanding Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Community Mental Health Clinic (outpatient)-Projected to serve 301 individuals annually in an outpatient setting. Community Wellness/Youth Prevention Center-Projected to serve 1,753 individuals annually in an outpatient setting. Outpatient Treatment for SUD-Projected to serve 50 individuals annually in an outpatient setting.

Proposition 1 (Bond BHCIP Round 1): Acute Psychiatric Hospital - 107 beds. Community Mental Health Clinic (outpatient) -Projected to serve 2,255 individuals annually in an outpatient setting. Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) - 16 beds. Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) - 16 beds.

Community Care Expansion (CCE) Program $2M awarded to create new beds/housing units CCE Preservation Program Awarded nearly $5.5M to support existing licensed adult and older adult care facilities

Fresno has received $112+ million in Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program funding to support infrastructure projects.

Through the Community Care Expansion Program, California is supporting individuals in Fresno who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“Crashes are a preventable tragedy, and prevention begins long before someone gets behind the wheel. By bringing a public health lens to traffic safety, this partnership will allow us to address the root causes of harm and advance healthier, safer and more equitable communities,” said CalHHS Secretary Johnson.

CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson and CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin

Secretary Johnson and Secretary Omishakin shake hands.

ICYMI: California launched a data-driven road safety initiative to reduce severe traffic crashes in California’s highest-risk areas. Learn more about this effort to save lives at calsta.ca.gov.

2026 Rates are here Step-by-step renewal guide

Infographic titled '2026 Rates are Here: Step-by-Step Renewal Guide' outlining four steps to renew with Covered California: 1. Log into your Covered California account, 2. Review and update your application, 3. Compare health plans, 4. See if you qualify for financial help.

Promotional poster for Covered California with the message "Have questions about 2026 coverage? Don't worry, we've got you covered." It includes contact information: (800) 300-1506 and CoveredCA.com.

California, renewal season is here! If you’re currently enrolled in Covered California, now is the time to review your options and make sure you have the health coverage that works best for you & your family. 📲 coveredca.com

Let's Open Doors for Youth

Promotional image for Open Doors training featuring several groups of people smiling and interacting in different settings, including a workshop and a casual group photo. Text promotes building authentic connections with youth to support well-being. Includes logos for Open Doors and CYBHI.

Made possible by the #CYBHI, the Open Doors training offers tools for adults to support engagement with youth, who may use substances or have other behavioral health concerns.

Learn more and sign up for the FREE training today at opendoorstraining.org. #SubstanceUsePrevention

Promotional image by CalRx announcing low-cost, biosimilar insulin for all Californians starting January 1, 2026. Image features a person holding an insulin pen.

CalRx® Insulin Glargine pens are coming soon, priced at just $55 for a five-pack of 3 mL pens beginning January 1, 2026.

This CalRx® insulin product is interchangeable with Lantus® and will be available to any pharmacy in the state. 📲 calrx.ca.gov

CDPH continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccine access and choice for everyone ages 6 months+

California continues to follow the science. COVID-19 vaccines work & they’re safe.

Everyone age 6 months+ should have access & the choice to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

CA is working closely with partners to promote vaccine access & provide clear, science-based information.

Expanding Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Adult Residential Treatment Facility for SUD - 86 beds Partial Hospitalization Program - Projected to serve 125 individuals annually in an outpatient setting Community Mental Health Clinic (outpatient) - Projected to serve 100 individuals annually in an outpatient setting Children’s Crisis Residential Program (CCRP) - 16 Beds

Acute Psychiatric Hospital - 12 beds Adult Residential SUD Treatment Facility - 239 Beds Sobering Center (funded under Community Supports) - 30 Slots Outpatient Treatment for SUD - 50 Slots Children's Crisis Residential Program (CCRP) - 16 beds Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) - 16 Beds Community Mental Health Clinic (outpatient) - 120 Slots

Community Care Expansion (CCE) Program $24m+ awarded, 65 new beds/housing units CCE Preservation Program $16M+ awarded, 9 facilities to preserve, 502 beds

San Diego has received $174+ million in Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program funding to support infrastructure projects, and $24+ million through the Community Care Expansion program to create new beds/housing units for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.