Medi-Cal behavioral health funding agreement
Summary
The county renewed two contracts with Community Medical Specialists: after-hours crisis response (max $300,000) and daytime in-person therapists for mostly youth clients (max $750,000), partially reimbursed by Medi-Cal. Officials also highlighted a 'grow your own' effort with Chico State interns to address the rural therapist shortage.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Nov 10, 2026.
Impact analysis
Combined contract maximums of $1.05 million, offset by roughly 50-75 percent Medi-Cal reimbursement on billed services.
County residents in mental health crisis, especially youth, and regular staff who get weekend and holiday relief.
County taxpayers, who absorb bills for former residents treated in other counties whom the county never served.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Board of Supervisors — November 10, 2026
An intergovernmental agreement with the state would cover transfers of public funds to meet the county's share of approved Medi-Cal behavioral health claims.
Board of Supervisors — October 13, 2026
Two amendments raised the Star View Adolescent Center contract to $600,000 because state law requires the county to pay for a Lassen County youth's residential mental health treatment. The original estimate was $200,000.
Board of Supervisors — August 18, 2026
Four contracts keep psychiatric care available — after-hours coverage, a child and adult psychiatrist, inpatient 5150 placements in Yuba City, and youth services in Southern California — totaling up to $1.5 million. Without them, residents in crisis could have nowhere local to turn.
Board of Supervisors (Special) — July 7, 2026
The county pays hospital bills for Lassen County Medi-Cal residents placed in psychiatric facilities across California — even people the county has never served — with one month-long stay costing about $96,000. Supervisors pressed on residency rules and the broken system.
Board of Supervisors — June 16, 2026
The county renewed two contracts with Community Medical Specialists: after-hours crisis response (max $300,000) and daytime in-person therapists for mostly youth clients (max $750,000), partially reimbursed by Medi-Cal. Officials also highlighted a 'grow your own' effort with Chico State interns to address the rural therapist shortage.
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