Commission for Behavioral Health

An excerpt from the Palo Alto online article about AB 2003 (Berman): “Too many communities across California have been devastated by youth suicides, including my hometown of Palo Alto,” said Berman, whose district includes Mountain View, Palo Alto and Menlo Park. “We must do everything we possibly can to prevent these tragedies.”

I introduced AB 2003, in partnership with the @californiacbh.bsky.social, to provide life-saving suicide prevention training to ensure our students, teachers, administrators, and parents have the tools necessary to support young people in need.

We must do everything we can to prevent suicide. (2/3)

The Analyst II will also support the development of the legislative report, and coordinate communication with internal staff, inter-agency staff, community partners, and Commissioners.

Learn more and apply: calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...

The Commission is hiring!

We’re seeking an Analyst II to help develop an evaluation plan by defining and organizing research project goals and deadlines, create research tools to make the evaluation easier and more consistent, monitor data collection.

San Francisco Bay Area Aging Veterans Mental Health Summit Please join us for a three-hour convening, co-hosted by Swords to Plowshares and the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, to focus on the mental and behavioral health needs of ol...

Learn more and register for this event: www.swords-to-plowshares.org/events/mhs26

Swords to Plowshares and the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services will co-host a convening on February 25, 2026, in San Francisco to address the mental and behavioral health needs of older veterans, with an emphasis on strengthening support systems for them.

Committees - BHSOAC Review the work of committees and their resources.

Join us in person at 1812 9th Street, Sacramento or via teleconference.

See the agendas and register for the meetings: bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/comm...

🗓 Thursday, February 26
💼 Strategic Plan
🕘 1:00 p.m. PDT

🗓 Thursday, February 26
💼 Client, Family, and Community Inclusion, Lived Experience, and Diversity
🕘 10:00 a.m. PDT

🗓 Tuesday, February 24
💼 Workplace Optimization
🕘 2:30 p.m. PDT

🗓 Thursday, February 19
💼 Legislative and External Affairs
🕘 3:00 p.m. PDT

🗓 Thursday, February 19
💼 Budget and Fiscal
🕘 12:30 p.m. PDT

🗓 Thursday, February 19
💼 Program
🕘 10:00 a.m. PDT

Be a part of the conversation at the February Commission advisory committee meetings!

“The Commission for Behavioral Health is proud to partner with Assemblymember Berman on AB 2003, a bill that champions our extensive policy recommendations for suicide prevention and school behavioral health,” said Al Rowlett, Commission Chair.

Read the full release: bhsoac.ca.gov/newsroom/ass...

This Commission-sponsored bill would make online suicide prevention training free and accessible statewide for all K-12 teachers, parents, caregivers, and students ages 13 and older.

Today, @asmmarcberman.bsky.social introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 2003 to permanently provide suicide prevention training in K-12 schools.

Community Partner Toolkit - BHSOAC Understanding the regulations and laws that guide and impact the Commission

🛠️Glossary of Terms and Acronym Guide
🛠️A step-by-step guide to participating in your county’s CPP
🛠️Materials to prepare individuals to confidently participate in the process
🛠️Resources to connect individuals with county and state support networks

Download the toolkit: bhsoac.ca.gov/community-pa...

The Commission is proud to announce the release of our Community Partner Toolkit!

This toolkit serves as a guide for individuals interested in participating in their county’s Community Planning Process (CPP), and includes:

Commissioners Approve Innovation Partnership Fund Request for Proposal Outline During Two-Day Meeting - BHSOAC Key Takeaways Commissioners approved the Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) RFP outline. Commissioners voted to sponsor the Sustaining and Supporting Suicide […]

✅Commissioners voted to sponsor the Sustaining and Supporting Suicide Prevention in Schools bill proposal during the 2026 legislative session.
✅Commissioners approved the formation of the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee.

Read the full recap: bhsoac.ca.gov/all/commissi...

Did you miss the Commission’s January meetings? A full recap is available now on our website, including:

✅Commissioners approved the Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) RFP outline.

✅Suggest ways to implement the system across the state.

Read our RFP and apply by March 11, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.: bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/gran...

✅Recruiting at least six school districts to participate.
✅Working with the districts to select three schools to participate.
✅Working with stakeholders to decide what data and results to measure.
✅Provide training to schools and partners on how to use the system.

📢Can your organization help improve behavioral health services in schools?

The Commission wants to partner with you! Your organization will be responsible for helping set up a system to track and improve behavioral health systems in schools by doing the following:

Grant & Funding Opportunities - BHSOAC Learn more about grant applications and examination requirements.

The Commission's MHWA grant program provides $20 million each year to organizations identified under six priority areas, focusing on improving community response to better meet the needs of individuals facing a behavioral health crisis.

More information: bhsoac.ca.gov/grants-and-c...

Commissioners just voted to approve the notice of intent to award for the Full Service Partnership and 0-5/Maternal Behavioral Health Mental Health Wellness Act (MHWA) grant contracts to Third Sector Capital Partners and Public Health Institute, respectively.

During our January 22 Commission meeting, the Commission will be reviewing and considering an RFP outline for the MHWA Peer Respite grant project.

Register now to join the conversation: bhsoac.ca.gov/connect/comm...

The Commission took part in a robust community engagement effort in 2025 to figure out how to best use Mental Health Wellness Act (MHWA) funds in support of peer respites!

✅Implementing the Behavioral Health Services Act
✅Reporting on the Impact of Firearm Violence on Behavioral Health
✅Bolstering Advocacy Partnerships
✅Our Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
✅Looking Ahead to 2026

Read the full report: bhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/u...

The Commission is pleased to share our 2025 Highlights report. Inside the report, you’ll find important information about the work the Commission did last year to improve California’s behavioral health system, including:

The Commission is hiring!

Join our team and make an impact on California’s behavioral health system!

Deputy Director of Program Operations, Research, and Evaluation: calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...

Analyst II: calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...