Committee to Commission Meeting – May 2026

Overview: To support effective decision making and broaden public involvement, the Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH) utilizes seven advisory committees. These committees are:

• Budget and Fiscal (BFA)
• Client and Family Leadership (CFLC)
• Cultural and Linguistic Competency (CLCC)
• Legislative and External Affairs (LEX)
• Program (PAC)
• Strategic Plan (SP)
• Workplace Optimization (WOAC)

Many agenda items brought before the Commission are first reviewed within their designated committees, where they are discussed and voted on prior to advancing to the full Commission.

 

Agenda Item #7 – Strategic Plan Update

Committee Connection

• SP – April 27, 2026 – View recording
  • The time-limited Strategic Plan Advisory Committee was established at the January 23, 2026, full Commission meeting. Executive Director Brenda Grealish, and Eric Douglas and Karin Bloomer of Leading Resources, Inc. presented an updated overview and facilitated a discussion with committee members and the public, reflecting on feedback received during the March 26, 2026, Commission meeting. Commissioners noted during that meeting that the strategic plan needs to reflect the experiences of those served, ensure measurable outcomes, and prioritize school-based substance use disorder (SUD) prevention. There was also a question about including workforce development goals, with clarification provided that Health Care Access and Information has the lead on these efforts and that the Commission is participating as a collaborative partner. They also sought clarification that Priority Area 1 focuses on understanding the standard of care for all Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Priority Populations, and Priority Area 4 to emphasize effectiveness with sustainability and ensuring equitable statewide implementation of innovations. Incorporating this feedback, the priorities were updated to include amendments clarifying that Priority Area 1 focuses on increasing understanding of the standard of care and housing impacts for all BHSA Priority Populations – focused on individuals in FSPs – while Priority Area 4 emphasizes embedding sustainability and ensuring equitable statewide implementation of innovative strategies. Following a robust discussion centered around committee members thoughts about supporting the amended Priorities and Results, the Committee voted to recommend that the full Commission adopt the 2024–2027 Strategic Plan Update, focused on four priority areas for 2026–2027, and further advised identifying clear, measurable results for each priority along with corresponding implementation strategies: meeting the needs of people with the highest behavioral health needs; ensuring SUD is incorporated throughout the Commission’s work; expanding peer behavioral health services; and building the evidence base for the effectiveness of new and innovative statewide strategies.
    • View presentation
    • View addendum

 

Agenda Item #9 – Closed Session – Personnel Matter 

Committee Connection 

• WOAC – April 13, 2026 – View recording 
  • The Workforce Optimization Advisory Committee met in a closed session to discuss personnel matters pursuant to California Government Code § 11126(a) regarding the draft evaluation of the Executive Director’s goals and performance. No action was taken during the meeting. 

 

Agenda Item #13 – Next Steps for Committees – Client & Family Leadership and Cultural & Linguistic Competency

Committee Connection

• CFC – February 26, 2026 – View recording
• Full Commission Meeting – March 27, 2026 – View recording
  • During the March 27, 2026, full Commission meeting, Commissioners voted to dissolve the temporary Client, Family, and Community Inclusion, Lived Experience, and Diversity (CFC) Advisory Committee. Dissolving the CFC restores the Commission’s inclusivity-focused committees back to a two-committee structure: Client & Family Leadership (CFLC) and Cultural & Linguistic Competency (CLCC). Reestablishing the two-committee structure requires the Commission to adopt updated charters and for the Commission Chair to appoint a new Chair and Vice Chair for each committee at the May 28, 2026, Commission meeting.

 

Agenda Item #14 – 2026 Legislative Priorities

Committee Connection

• LEX – April 16, 2026 – View recording
  • Deputy Director of Legislative and External Affairs, Kendra Zoller, presented six bills to committee members for the Commission to potentially support during the 2026 legislative session. Committee members recommended the full Commission support the following and direct staff to communicate its position to the Legislature and Governor: 
    • Support:
      • AB 1586 (Ramos) – Clarifies that School Resource Officers (SRO) may voluntarily administer opioid antagonists under the existing school volunteer program with associated protections; and requires SRO distribution/use reporting to POST for a five-year legislative report.
      • AB 1626 (Gabriel) – Expands required coach training to include youth athlete behavioral health awareness, trauma-informed recognition, supportive communication and referral procedures; and directs CDE to create/post and disseminate a model youth sports mental health training by September 1, 2027.
      • AB 1665 (Pacheco) – Requires coaches in elementary schools, middle schools and interscholastic sports to complete training in student behavioral health, aligned with AB 1626, every two (2) years.
      • AB 2011 (Hart) – Codifies the 2024 federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Final Rule into California Law.
      • AB 2138 (Krell) – Requires Enhanced Care Management (ECM) providers serving behavioral health populations to include a peer support specialist beginning January 1, 2028; and allows considering criminal history in hiring only when relevant to the PSS Role. (Note: this bill has since died in the Legislature and will not move forward at the May 28 Commission meeting).
      • AB 2150 (Haney) – Requires California employers that mandate CPR certification to also provide a separate online naloxone-use video module (American Heart Association or Red Cross), with the curriculum overseen by the Emergency Medical Services Authority.
    • View presentation