Behavioral Health officials brief supervisors on BH Connect participation; county opts into some components

Santa Barbara — Director Tony Navarro and Behavioral Wellness staff presented California’s BH Connect initiative on Feb. 24 and described Be Well’s decisions on optional components of the Section 1115 demonstration.

BH Connect, launched January 2025, offers counties a rolling opt-in through 2029 for four main components: access reform and outcomes incentives, evidence-based practices (EBPs) like ACT/FACT and Individual Placement & Support (IPS), community in‑reach/transition services, and an IMD Federal Financial Participation (FFP) option. Navarro said Be Well has opted into the Access Reform and Outcomes Incentive Program and into IPS (supported employment) because IPS’s bundled rate provides fiscal stability. But Be Well will not opt into ACT/FACT or the IMD FFP component because analysis showed a potential ~ $1 million annual net revenue loss and operational limits (restrictive length-of-stay rules, added staff categories and data requirements) for the county’s PUF psychiatric facility.

Staff explained BH Connect’s incentive funding, technical-assistance relationship with NCQA, and how the program’s metrics align with CalAIM and the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). Navarro said the county has received almost $800,000 of initial incentive payments and will continue evaluating additional components, including community in‑reach services.

Board members thanked staff for the thorough fiscal assessment and voted to receive and file the presentation. "If other larger counties opt into IMD FFP because of scale, that doesn't mean it is right for Santa Barbara County," a supervisor said, noting economy-of-scale differences.

What happens next: Be Well will continue to evaluate components with rolling opt-in windows through 2029 and return to the board with operational/fiscal recommendations as necessary.