CA Health & Human Services

No one should have to choose between paying their bills and paying for meals.

CalFresh helps individuals & families put food on the table. 😋

Learn more about the food benefits program and how to apply today at CalFreshFood.org. #NationalNutritionMonth

Today, and every day, we celebrate the strength & achievements of all women, especially the ones in our lives.

Together, let's continue building a Healthy California For All that supports & empowers young girls & women everywhere. #IWD2026

"If [CARE] wasn't voluntary, we would just see a lot of closed doors in our faces." Jennifer Bender, Supervising Deputy Public Defender, Riverside County Learn more: chhs.ca.gov/care-act

The CARE Act is a voluntary process that respects individual rights while creating structured support, thereby engaging those with severe mental illness who may otherwise turn away from services. Learn more at www.chhs.ca.gov/care-act.

"When she was on the streets, her biggest desire was to get to know her grandkids. Six months post-[CARE] graduation, she was having a sleepover with her family. That's huge. And she told me, 'thank you for not giving up on me.'" Starla Anderson, Deputy Public Defender, Riverside County Learn more: chhs.ca.gov/care-act

Riverside County is showing what’s possible with the CARE Act.

Local reporting spotlights how 2 years into CARE Court, 260 people with severe mental illness have been connected to critical behavioral health services: www.raincrossgazette.com/two-years-in-riversides-care-court-reaches-260-residents

State Officials Discuss CARE Act's Success in Riverside County California's CARE Act, providing community-based behavioral health services, has aided over 7,500 individuals since its 2023 launch. The Act allows family members and healthcare providers to petition for care plans for those with severe mental health di...

Local reporting highlights how launching CARE in Riverside has created “a new pathway for access” to behavioral health services for people with severe mental illness—connecting Californians to medication and housing support: https://blackvoicenews.com/2026/03/03/behavioral-health-care-agreement/

Governor Newsom announces major transformation of six vacant buildings in Los Angeles County into mental health and housing communities | Governor of California

The effort advances Mental Health for All, California’s initiative to build a stronger behavioral health system, offering a full range of supports from prevention and early intervention to treatment, crisis response, and long-term recovery: www.gov.ca.gov/2026/03/06/g...

CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson, Department of State Hospitals Director Stephanie Clendenin and Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Baass participate in the groundbreaking of the state-of-the-art behavioral health campus in Los Angeles County.

Today, @governor.ca.gov announced the groundbreaking of the Los Angeles County Care Community, a state-of-the-art behavioral health campus that will transform six vacant buildings into a unified mental health & housing community providing 162 housing & treatment beds.

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom with CYBHI youth ambassadors.

CYBHI Director Dr. Sohil Sud with CYBHI youth ambassadors.

CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson and CYBHI Director Dr. Sohil Sud stop by the CYBHI booth at the California love, California Strong launch event.

CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson, CYBHI Director Dr. Sohil Sud and youth representing CYBHI programs & campaigns attended the launch of First Partner Jennifer Sibel Newsom's California Love, California Strong initiative to uplift joy, connection & service in California communities. ❤️💪

"[CARE] is not a quick fix. But if we put in the commitment, the investment, we see a return." Martin Jones Jr., Program Manager, L.A. County Department of Mental Health Learn more: chhs.ca.gov/care-act

Building trust takes time. Recovery takes time. But when counties apply CARE’s coordination and follow-through, the return is measured in lives stabilized, and cycles of incarceration and hospitalization broken.

Learn more about the CARE Act at  chhs.ca.gov/care-act.

California is taking a population health management approach to transform our behavioral health system and improve community wellbeing & advance health equity.

Learn more about how this approach supports California's behavioral health continuum of care: https://bit.ly/4r98uV1

CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson with Judge Sandra Bean of Alameda County, Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez, Qimmah Hameed, Vice President of Community Engagement Bay Area Community Services (BACS), and Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss.

“The CARE Act reflects California’s belief that compassion and accountability must go hand in hand. It offers people living with severe mental illness a real path to treatment and stability, while making clear that every county has a responsibility to deliver. When CARE is implemented effectively, lives change, and we are committed to ensuring that promise is realized statewide.” Kim Johnson, CalHHS Secretary

This week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced new accountability measures to speed up the adoption of CARE Court and awarded $291 million to expand supportive housing & behavioral health services statewide.

"I can see the relief, their physical relief.”

CARE teams step in so families don’t carry the weight of severe mental illness alone.

The CARE Act provides coordinated support, real partnership and a path toward stability. Learn more at www.chhs.ca.gov/care-act.

A person holds and leans affectionately on another's shoulder in a cozy setting. The room features a bookcase with various items. The image includes text about the "Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program," which aims to expand behavioral health treatment and service resources for Californians. The CalHHS logo is displayed in the top right corner.

To address gaps in care & meet the growing demand for services across the lifespan, physical infrastructure is needed.

Through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP), California is building care facilities & housing to increase access: https://bit.ly/4ckdPFl

A graphic celebrating 60 years of Medi-Cal features a large "60" with an embedded poppy flower. The text reads, "Rooted in Care, Community, and Compassion." The CalHHS and Medi-Cal logos are present.

For sixty years, Medi-Cal has been foundational to a Healthy #CaliforniaForAll, providing essential health care coverage to millions of individuals & families and helping foster stronger, healthier communities across the state. #60YearsOfMediCal

Californians can track how their community is addressing mental health, homelessness & housing at accountability.ca.gov, updated with new information about CARE Act implementation by county.

Alameda County is a shining example of a county that has worked to proactively implement the CARE Act.

Under the leadership of Judge Sandra Bean, @AlamedaCounty has helped connect participants with comprehensive services such as those provided by Bay Area Community Services.

California is repairing its behavioral health continuum – building new treatment facilities, expanding the workforce of care and establishing new programs to address unique needs and get people help & shelter.

The CARE Act is a cornerstone of the state’s work to modernize CA's behavioral health system & confront homelessness.

This first-in-the-nation approach empowers those suffering from untreated or undertreated schizophrenia & other psychotic disorders to get treatment & housing.

The CARE Act gives judges the ability to coordinate an individuals' care with behavioral health, the public defender office & social workers in order to meet Californians' behavioral health needs.

Learn more about CARE at www.chhs.ca.gov/care-act. #CAREAct #MentalHealth #Alameda

CalHOPE Warm Line (833) 317-HOPE (4673) CalHOPE.org

Current events in the news can sometimes cause emotional distress.

If you're struggling with difficult emotions, don't be afraid to reach out.

Help is available at calhope.org for Californians of all ages & backgrounds.

Two people embracing warmly. The person facing the camera has eyes closed and a content expression. Text reads "Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE)." CalHHS logo in the corner.

The CARE Act is a compassionate civil court process & timely intervention for those experiencing severe behavioral health issues.

CARE's supportive services help prevent hospitalizations, incarcerations & conservatorships as part of our continuum of care: bit.ly/4ckdPFl

A big life change — a new baby, recent move, saying “I do,” or losing health coverage — comes with a big window: 60 days to get a new health plan.

Covered California is here to help. Learn more at CoveredCA.com. #ForTheLoveOfCalifornians

Today, on the start of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we celebrate inclusion, access & community and honor the experiences, contributions & rights of people with developmental disabilities—this month & every month. #EveryoneBelongs #DDAM2026

Quote text on a blue background says: 'Sometimes [with CARE] we do 10, 15, 25 contacts before we get somebody in. But getting that person in is really all that matters.' - Ian Kemmer, Behavioral Health Director, Orange County. The image includes a logo for CalHHS at the bottom with a website: chhs.ca.gov/care-act.

Engagement takes persistence. The CARE Act creates a structured process that allows teams to keep reaching out to individuals with severe mental illness—because connection is the turning point. 📲 www.chhs.ca.gov/care-act

A graphic titled "Essentials for every generation" features various emergency supplies. It includes a Listos California badge, with items such as a teddy bear, a prescription bottle, canned food, a flashlight, a roll of toilet paper, and a deck of playing cards emerging from a cardboard box. The background is a gradient of blue and yellow. The website "LISTOSCALIFORNIA.ORG" is at the bottom right.

From tired toddlers to elders and bored teenagers, everyone in the household needs to be included in your emergency plans.

Make a list of essentials for them and for you. Get started today at listoscalifornia.org. #ListosCalifornia

CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson leads a roundtable discussion with Riverside County leaders and partners about the CARE Act.

At this week's Riverside CARE Act Roundtable, local leaders shared how collaboration, relentless outreach and voluntary engagement are helping people with the most complex behavioral health needs reconnect to care, housing and hope.

CARE is a tool—changing lives across CA.

The image contains a quote highlighted on a stylized orange background. The quote reads: "CARE changes the trajectory of people's lives without stripping them of their dignity or their rights." It is attributed to Desirae Sanders, Supervising Attorney, Mental Health Unit, San Diego County Public Defender's Office. At the bottom, there is a line with "Learn more: chhs.ca.gov/care-act" and the CalHHS logo.

The CARE Act was designed to support recovery for Californians with severe mental illness as part of the state’s behavioral health continuum.

It’s a different model of court involvement—one that centers dignity and respects individual rights. 📲 www.chhs.ca.gov/care-act

Digital platforms, including Soluna, BrightLife Kids, and Mirror, are now available to connect children, youth, families, and caregivers with behavioral health resources and professionals at no cost.

Campaigns are ongoing to let our youth know they are Never a Bother, that they can Live Beyond Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and to Take Space to Pause.

Educators and other professionals are learning to create Safe Spaces, a free, online training to recognize and respond to signs of trauma and stress.

The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is reimagining a more integrated, youth-centered system that meets the needs of all young people. 📲 https://www.chhs.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CalHHS_Roadmap_2025-FINAL.pdf

The CARE Act supports Californians with severe mental illness over time, knowing that stability and independence take patience and persistence.

Recovery is a process—and CARE is designed to stay with people throughout it. Learn more at www.chhs.ca.gov/care-act.

California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) California instituted a “no wrong door” approach to ensure Medi-Cal members receive behavioral health services regardless of where they seek care.

BH-CONNECT California is expanding Medi-Cal service coverage, driving performance improvement, and supporting key interventions proven to improve outcomes for Medi-Cal members experiencing the greatest inequities, including: Children and youth involved in child welfare Individuals in the criminal justice system People at risk of or experiencing homelessness

Additional outpatient benefits available under Medi-Cal in counties that choose to cover them: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Contingency Management Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis The Individual Placement and Support Model of Supported Employment Enhanced Community Health Worker Services Clubhouses

Through Cal-AIM and BH-CONNECT, California is investing in a range of outpatient services to help ensure care can be provided in the least restrictive settings & within communities.

Outpatient care is a key part of our behavioral health continuum of care.