Commission Meeting – Day 1 – March 26, 2026

Event Date: Mar 26, 2026

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: 1812 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811

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View Recording

Meeting Agenda and Materials

Please see the full meeting agenda for more details.

1. Call to Order & Roll Call – Information
   Roll call will be taken.
2. Announcements & Caring Moment – Information
   Chair Rowlett will share updates and announcements, followed by a Commissioner-led caring moment to center us on our purpose.
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   • View new staff bios.
3. Executive Director’s Update – Information
   Executive Director Brenda Grealish will provide brief operational and strategic updates.
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   • View Executive Director’s Report.
4. General Public Comment – Information
   This time is reserved for public comments on items not on the agenda.
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   • View public comment received January 22, 2026.
   • View public comment received March 5, 2026.
   • View public comment received March 24, 2026.
   • View another public comment received March 24, 2026.
   • View public comment received March 26, 2026.
   • View another public comment received March 26, 2026.
5. Meeting Minutes – Action
   The January 22, 2026, and January 23, 2026, meeting minutes will be reviewed and considered for approval.
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   • View roll call and motions summaries for January 22, 2026.
   • View January 22, 2026 meeting minutes.
   • View roll call and motions summaries for January 23, 2026.
   • View January 23, 2026 meeting minutes.
6. Consent Calendar – Action
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   1. Extension Funding Request: Kern County – Early Psychosis Learning Healthcare Network up to $4,900,000.
      • View staff analysis.
      • View innovation project change request on Kern County website.
   2. Intent to Award: Transition Age Youth Advocacy Contract – $670,000 per year for three years.
7. Advocacy Spotlight – Information
   United Parents will present on advocacy work for parents and caregivers of children with behavioral health challenges. Presented by Melissa Hannah, MS, Executive Director, Steve Varner, Statewide Grant Coordinator, and Jolene Freschi, Parent.
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   • View presentation.
   • View public comment from March 23, 2026.
   • View public comment from March 23, 2026 from CMHACY.
8. Stretch Break
9. Commission’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Report – Information
   Mid-year update of the Commission’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget report. Presented by Lauren Quintero, Acting Deputy Director of Administrative Services and Performance Management.
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   • View presentation.
10. Data Strategy & Dashboards – Information
    Review the Commission’s Transparency Suite, preview upcoming dashboards, and discuss the Commission’s data strategy. Presented by Melissa Martin-Mollard, Acting Deputy Director of Research, Evaluation and Programs.
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    • View presentation.
11. Lunch & Closed Session – Personnel Matter – Action
    California Government Code § 11126 (e) to meet with legal counsel to discuss pending litigation matters.
12. Re-establish Quorum and Report Back from Closed Session – Action
    Chair Rowlett will report back on any reportable actions that took place during closed session.
13. Update on Strategic Plan Refresh – Information
    Update on progress made to the Commission’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan update effort to align with the Behavioral Health Services Act. Presented by Brenda Grealish, CBH Executive Director; CBH Commissioners Karen Larsen and Brandon Fernandez; Eric Douglas, Senior Partner, Leading Resources, Inc.; and Karin Bloomer, Leading Resources, Inc.
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    • View presentation.
14. Stretch Break
15. Legislative Priorities – Action
    Consideration of bills and budget items to take a position on in the 2026 legislative session including Assembly Bill 96 (Jackson); AB 1540 (González); and the proposed budget cut to the behavioral health Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis Services benefit. Presented by Kendra Zoller, Deputy Director of Legislative and External Affairs; Meron Agonafer, Policy Director, CalVoices; Amer Rashid, Director of Legislative Affairs, California Behavioral Health Directors Association; and Kyle Johnson, legislative assistant for Assembly Member González.
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    • View presentation.
    • Read AB 96 bill text.
    • Read AB 1540 bill text.
16. Recess
    This is a two-day meeting; the body will recess at the conclusion of Day 1 and reconvene on Day 2.