Currently, EVALCORP is partnering with eight counties across the state of California on behavioral health initiatives. In this post, we offer a snapshot of our work in one of those counties to illustrate how our program evaluation and needs assessment services work in the behavioral health sector, and touch on the future of mental health…
In our previous post, we introduced EVALCORP’s Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Compliance & Integration Workgroup and the comprehensive resources we’ve developed to support behavioral health organizations through this transition. Since then, we’ve been working directly with counties to address the practical realities of implementing BHSA requirements while managing existing programs and stakeholder relationships. As…
The behavioral health landscape in California is shifting. With the passage of Proposition 1 in March of 2024, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) has been replaced with the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). Behavioral health organizations across the state are adjusting to a transformation that is reshaping how behavioral health services are delivered, funded, and evaluated…
Substance use disorders (SUDs) continue to pose a significant public health challenge across the U.S. With new resources becoming available, such as opioid settlement funds (OSF), the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) in California, and youth vaping settlements (e.g., JUUL), state and local agencies are reevaluating how to deliver prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Effective…
Integrated Plans, Community Planning, Transparency Reports, and Timelines In our previous post, we examined how California’s Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), enacted under Proposition 1, restructures and redefines the priorities of the former Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Since then, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released Version 1.2.0 of its BHSA…
For the third consecutive year, EVALCORP has had the honor of collaborating with our long-term partner and client, Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH), at the National Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, held this year in Nashville, Tennessee. Our joint efforts continue to spotlight impactful outcomes in combating the opioid crisis. Showcasing Collaborative Successes At this…
EVALCORP has had the opportunity to work with the Substance Use Services division of Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) since 2006, and that long view has allowed our team to generate insights that shape how we approach the work. We have led program evaluation and strategic planning projects for several VCBH substance use and prevention…
California has long been a leader in addressing mental health and housing challenges through innovative funding mechanisms. Since its passage in 2004, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) has been a cornerstone of California’s behavioral health strategy. Funded by a 1% tax on incomes exceeding $1 million, the MHSA has provided billions in funding to…
Currently, EVALCORP is partnering with Pinellas County, Florida to conduct a program evaluation for initiatives funded through the First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Grants (FR-CARA) program. This project addresses the County’s goals of reducing opioid-related deaths and connecting individuals to effective treatment. Evaluating Overdose Response Programming In our work for this project, we are…
Housing affordability and availability have become critical challenges for communities across California. Comprehensive housing needs assessments have become essential for municipalities, counties, and housing authorities as the housing shortage continues. These assessments provide crucial data and insights for housing policies, development priorities, and funding allocations. A housing needs assessment is a systematic evaluation that: With…