§ 5961.1

(a) As a component of the initiative, the State Department of Health Care Services shall procure and oversee a vendor to establish and maintain a behavioral health services and supports virtual platform that integrates behavioral health screenings, application-based supports, and direct behavioral health services to children and youth 25 years of age and younger, regardless of payer.

(b) Any virtual platform established or procured shall include access in all Medi-Cal threshold languages and shall be culturally appropriate to accommodate the diversity of the population and shall be accessible by telephone.

(c) The virtual platform may provide behavioral health services and supports, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Regular, automated behavioral health screenings.

(2) Short-term individual counseling, group counseling, and behavioral health peer and coaching supports.

(3) Interactive education, self-monitoring tools, application-based games, video and book suggestions, automated cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindful exercises designed to build skills and enhance wellbeing.

(4) Access to behavioral health peers, coaches, and licensed clinicians.

(5) Referrals to an individual’s commercial health insurance, Medi-Cal managed care plan, county behavioral health, school-linked counselor, or community-based organizations, or other resources for higher-level behavioral health services.

(6) Statewide e-consult service to allow primary care pediatric and family practice providers to receive asynchronous support and consultation to manage behavioral health conditions for their patients.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 355. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021.)