California Behavioral Health Association

California Behavioral Health Association A statewide non-profit association that supports and promotes behavioral health agencies through legislative advocacy.

Since its inception in 1985, CBHA has endeavored to provide agency executives with the support, assistance and camaraderie that can help make a difference in the often-difficult task of running a nonprofit mental health agency. In 1999, CBHA was instrumental in the design and implementation of a pioneering, three-county program that served homeless people, parolees and probationers with serious mental illness. Using aggressive outreach and a whatever-it-takes-approach to match services to client needs, these programs achieved significant clinical outcomes for those served and saved millions of dollars by reducing hospitalization and incarceration costs. The passage of Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act, in 2004 was CBHA's proudest moment.

CBHA’s CEO Dr. Clark Harvey was honored to participate in the Population-Based Prevention Panel at the California Commis...
01/23/2026

CBHA’s CEO Dr. Clark Harvey was honored to participate in the Population-Based Prevention Panel at the California Commission for Behavioral Health meeting, sharing frontline provider perspectives on what prevention and early intervention require to work.

From children and transitional-aged youth to adults and older adults, the message was clear: invest earlier, reduce crises later — and ensure policies, funding, and implementation are aligned with the realities providers face every day.

We are grateful to the Commission for including CBHA’s voice in this critical discussion. CBHA remains deeply committed to amplifying the experiences and expertise of our membership and ensuring community-based providers are heard as California shapes the future of behavioral health.

CBHA is thrilled to be a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 903, alongside the California Psychological Association and  Californ...
01/23/2026

CBHA is thrilled to be a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 903, alongside the California Psychological Association and California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).

✅ This measure would advance AI accountability in behavioral health and prevent algorithms from advertising mental health services without provider responsibility.

“Californians seeking mental health care deserve transparency, informed consent, and the assurance that clinical decisions are being made by qualified professionals, not algorithms. CBHA is proud to support this legislation as a necessary safeguard for dignity, privacy, and quality of care in the digital age.”

- Le Ondra Clark Harvey, CBHA CEO 🔈

We are grateful for Senator Steve Padilla’s leadership towards AI accountability within the behavioral health space.

Read the full release for more details on SB 903 and impacts of AI in behavioral health:

http://bit.ly/3NFJCWT

CBHA celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who believed that love and unity, will always prevail in times ...
01/19/2026

CBHA celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who believed that love and unity, will always prevail in times of hardship. Through his advocacy, we are able to see that dedication and service rooted in compassion makes a world of a difference.

Dr. King’s commitment to his dream inspires us to continue advocating for behavioral health equity for the diverse communities that represent California. 💙

The abrupt termination of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants threatens critical c...
01/15/2026

The abrupt termination of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants threatens critical community-based mental health and substance use programs across the country.

These funds support frontline care—often the only access point for individuals and families facing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and homelessness. Abrupt cuts put lives at risk and destabilize already-strained systems.

CBHA is actively engaging with federal partners and advocacy coalitions to protect access to care and amplify the voices of providers and communities across California. 📢

Today, CBHA had the honor of standing alongside the Fight for Our Health Coalition as they advocate against potential st...
01/14/2026

Today, CBHA had the honor of standing alongside the Fight for Our Health Coalition as they advocate against potential state budget and Medicaid cuts. CBHA remains committed to amplifying the voices of providers who serve vulnerable communities across California.

Thank you to for displaying your advocacy and continuing to fight for health coverage for communities across the state. 💙

The California Behavioral Health Association (CBHA) responds to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Budget Proposal for 2026-27 with...
01/10/2026

The California Behavioral Health Association (CBHA) responds to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Budget Proposal for 2026-27 with cautious optimism.

The budget proposal prioritizes fiscal stability amid volatility but illustrates existing risks for behavioral health.

The proposed budget totals approximately $349 billion, including $248 billion in General Fund spending. The Administration cites continued unpredictable revenue, federal policy uncertainty, and constitutional obligations as key drivers for their cautious approach. 

Read the full press release below:
https://bit.ly/49foZJF

  stands with CalHHS and Secretary Kim Johnson in opposing the Trump Administration’s harmful decision to freeze critica...
01/09/2026

stands with CalHHS and Secretary Kim Johnson in opposing the Trump Administration’s harmful decision to freeze critical federal funding that Californians rely on every day. 📢

These programs are lifelines. They support families, protect children, enable parents to work, and strengthen the socioeconomic structure of our communities. Freezing funding for childcare, family assistance, and essential services undermines years of progress and puts our most vulnerable populations at risk.

CBHA remains committed to partnering with CalHHS to advocate for the resources and systems our California communities need to thrive across the lifespan. 🗣

Read Secretary Johnson’s full release: https://bit.ly/4qelCbJ

  applauds Governor Gavin Newsom for emphasizing the promise of California and prioritizing investments in behavioral he...
01/08/2026

applauds Governor Gavin Newsom for emphasizing the promise of California and prioritizing investments in behavioral health. The future is not transparent, and the present is not perfect, but the commitment to protecting equitable access for all to behavioral health services continues to be a goal we pursue. 📢 👏

CBHA proudly recognizes the wide range of observances this January. We continue to advocate for behavioral health system...
01/07/2026

CBHA proudly recognizes the wide range of observances this January. We continue to advocate for behavioral health systems that honor self-care, cultural diversity, and equitable access to care. Supporting mental wellness means valuing lived experiences, respecting cultural identities, and ensuring everyone has the resources they need to thrive. As we enter the New Year, let’s take some time to reflect on this month’s observances and the importance of amplifying voices. 💙

Recent reporting shows that an expanding number of California sheriff’s departments are changing how they respond to 911...
01/05/2026

Recent reporting shows that an expanding number of California sheriff’s departments are changing how they respond to 911 calls involving mental health crises. Instead of automatically dispatching law enforcement to these non-violent situations, several counties — including Sacramento and El Cajon — have adopted policies where deputies only respond if a crime has occurred or someone is in imminent danger.

🔗 Read the full article to learn more about how gaps in crisis response are affecting California communities:
https://bit.ly/3YstJFx

CBHA extends our appreciation to  for highlighting CBHA’s participation in a joint letter that calls for the LA County B...
12/22/2025

CBHA extends our appreciation to for highlighting CBHA’s participation in a joint letter that calls for the LA County Board of Supervisors to provide full, clinical access to evidence-based drug treatment during incarceration. CBHA is committed to utilizing collaboration to support ongoing advocacy efforts.



🔗 Read the full article to learn more about how drug treatment demands in Los Angeles County are being addressed:

https://bit.ly/3Nd56tW

We are pleased to share CBHA’s joint new policy white paper, developed to support providers in navigating upcoming chang...
12/10/2025

We are pleased to share CBHA’s joint new policy white paper, developed to support providers in navigating upcoming changes under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). As counties prepare for the 2026 implementation requirements, this resource offers timely guidance on how BHSA funding can sustainably support housing and intensive services for people experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness.

The paper provides a clear overview of the expanded opportunities within BHSA—particularly its dedicated funding for housing supports and full-service partnerships—and illustrates how these resources can replace the unstable patchwork of one-time state and local funding currently used across the state.

As always, CBHA remains committed to providing members with clear, practical tools to navigate California’s evolving behavioral health landscape. We extend our appreciation to A&A Health Services and Alamo Health Management for their expertise and contributions to the joint white paper.

Access the full Policy White Paper below:
🔗 https://bit.ly/3XN8iig

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