Welcome to the California Alliance's Coronavirus Resource page!

We invite you to review the state and federal resources and policy updates that we've compiled to help your agencies through the COVID spread. We encourage you to visit this page regularly as we are updating the page multiple times throughout the week.

Additional Members Only Content is available by clicking here (password required)

Email Corina Dubon at [email protected] to reset your password or create your account

STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES


State Senate Leaders Introduce Revised Budget Approach

On May 12, California Senate leaders unveiled the Senate Democratic Caucus’ proposal for the state budget and California’s economic recovery. The proposal is designed to keep the budget balanced over a multi-year period through pragmatic spending decisions, use of reserves and other traditional solutions, and federal support.

Read the full press release

California Senate's Budget Approach & Economic Recovery Presentation

State Department of Finance Releases Updated Budget Outlook

Fiscal Update for 2020-21: May 7 2020 PowerPoint

Fiscal Update: May 7 2020 Letter

California Assembly Returns to the Capitol:

The California Assembly returned to the State Capitol May 4 while the Senate reconvened on May 11 to begin negotiations to keep the state running and redirect dwindling funds to the costly coronavirus pandemic. Leaders of the state Senate and Assembly have asked all Legislators to pursue only COVID-related or “essential” bills. The Governor will release his revised 2020-21 state budget proposal on May 14. After that, the Legislature has until June 15 to send a final budget to Governor Newsom.  

California Department of Social Services: 

Provider Information Notice 6.22.20

EBT Usage During Pandemic FAQs

PIN 20-10-CRP: Guidance Regarding Extended Foster Care Program Flexibilities Due to COVID-19 Impact

PIN 20-09: Statewide Waivers for Background Check Requirements Due to Coronavirus 

Using EBT (CalFresh) During the Pandemic

Using EBT (CalFresh) During the Pandemic FAQs

Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants Fact Sheet

All County Welfare Directors Letter: Implementation of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Online Purchasing

All County Welfare Directors Letter: CalFresh Temporary Waiver of Rules to Support Timely Processing of Applications in Response to Coronvavirus

COVID-19 Resource Guide Children's Residential Programs: This guide includes best practice suggestions for children's residential programs. Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation, licensees should refer to the resources included in the attachment for up to date news.

California Department of Public Health:

Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) Accountability Dashboard

Tips and Resources for Family Members and Caregivers of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs 

ALLIANCE ADVOCACY


Letter of Support to US House of Representatives
from California entities for emergency funding to support prevention and stabilization of families. Read the full letter

MHSA Coalition Request for Flexibility with Mental Health Service Act Requirements to Address COVID-19 Public Health Crisis: The Alliance, with a coalition of allies including NAMI, Mental Health America of California, and CCCBHA delivered a letter to legislative and state department leaders requesting flexibility in spending for mental health services. Over the next few years, budgets are expected to change to align with decreasing revenues, however the coalition predicts mental health services to become more essential as people recover from COVID-19. Read the full letter

Unified Guiding Principles for MHSA Coalition: The Coalition is using guiding principles, including retaining core MHSA values and goals, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and advancing MHSA programs, to lead advocacy efforts. Read the guiding principles

Funding Special Education Programs: Alliance’s letter to Governor Newsom and Superintendent Thurmond on using funds from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund to support special education programs.

Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioners: The Alliance collaborated with MHAC, CASRA, CA Pan Ethnic Health Network and the Steinberg Institute to request scope of practice restrictions be waived for nurse practitioners during this crisis. Read the letter.

STRTP Supplement Request: With the active engagement and hard work of our member organizations providing Short Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs), the Alliance has submitted an urgent request for funding to maintain stability for our STRTPs during the COVID19 pandemic to the Department of Social Services.  Please use this link to read this request.

DHCS Joint Request from the Alliance, CBHA and CBHDA: We continue to advocate with our partner associations in order to get $100M included in the AB89 COVID19 Relief Fund. Click here for our joint letter. Additionally, the Alliance and CBHA advocated with DHCS to support counties in ensuring stability to providers. Click here to read this letter.   

ALLIANCE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCE PAGE

CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT RESOURCES

 

STATE EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Executive orders by state

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES 

Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) 20-09: Updated Behavioral Health Guidance and FAQs

BHIN 20-015: Mental Health Rehabilitation Centers and Psychiatric Health Facilities and FAQ Update

Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTPs) FAQS

OTHER CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT RESOURCES 

Legislative Analyst's Office: Federal COVID-19-Related Funding to California
California Legislative Analyst's Office: Federal Actions Affecting California

COUNTY RESOURCES


California State Association of Counties (CSAC): County specific resources

NATIONAL UPDATES & RESOURCES

 

Coronavirus Recovery Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Heroes Act) 

CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Provider Relief Fund: Medicaid and CHIP Provider Distribution Fact Sheet

Children's Bureau: Letter on Federal Funds Use for Cell Phones and PPE

Bulletin: HIPAA Privacy and Novel Coronavirus

Notification of Enforcement Discretion for telehealth remote communications during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency

SUBSTANCE ABUSE & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Grant Opportunities: Suicide Prevention Programs & Services (Due May 22)

COVID-19 Resource Website

Double Jeopardy:  COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities in the U.S.

Implementing Behavioral Health Crisis Care (Toolkit & Guide)

Disaster Planning Handbook for Behavioral Health Treatment Programs

OTHER FEDERAL DEPARTMENT RESOURCES

Department of Treasury: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Fact Sheet

Small Business Administration: Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Guide to applying for small business loans

Alliance for Children's Rights: Coming Together, COVID-19 Resource Hub

COMMUNITY LEARNING WITH THE CATALYST CENTER


The Catalyst Center
, the resource arm of the Alliance, has launched a new website for the field of child and family services. This website will hosts a robust resource portal dedicated to up-to-date materials related to best practices in telehealth and virtual support, organizational and network supports and advancements in these new times, fund development, local-level community offerings, and managing care for others in addition to care for yourself and staff. 

For inquiries or questions, please contact Deborah at [email protected].