California Community-Based Behavioral Health Outcomes and Accountability Review.
AB 686 represents a significant shift in the accountability and performance evaluation of the behavioral health services provided at the county level. By instituting regular reviews every three years, the bill is expected to streamline the process of assessing county performance against established benchmarks. The emphasis on data collection and analysis will drive counties to optimize their service delivery and institutional practices, reinforcing a statewide commitment to improve mental health outcomes. Furthermore, as part of its provisions, the bill includes technical assistance for counties that may struggle to meet performance standards, addressing systemic disparities and aiming for equity in service provision.
Assembly Bill 686, known as the California Community-Based Behavioral Health Outcomes and Accountability Review Act, aims to establish a framework for evaluating and enhancing county behavioral health services across California. This bill mandates the California Health and Human Services Agency to initiate the California Community-Based Behavioral Health Outcomes and Accountability Review (CBBH-OAR), which will foster a local accountability system directed at continuous quality improvement. It will encompass a series of performance indicators tied to the effectiveness of mental health and substance use disorder services, ensuring that county programs provide high-quality services to their clients.
The sentiment surrounding AB 686 is largely supportive among advocates for mental health and substance use services who view it as a vital step towards improving accountability and ensuring that public funds are used efficiently. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the financial implications for counties, particularly regarding the costs associated with potential new mandates—although the bill stipulates that counties will not be obligated to incur new costs unless they are appropriated in the annual Budget Act. This aspect has led to discussions about the need for adequate funding alongside the new accountability measures.
A notable point of contention regarding AB 686 is the challenge of resource allocation at the county level. Critics worry that while the bill aims to enhance quality and accountability, counties may find it difficult to balance these new requirements with existing budget constraints. The bill necessitates that counties can only implement system improvement plans using current resources unless the necessary funding is made available. This stipulation raises questions about how willing the state will be to ensure that adequate funds are allocated to support these mandates and mitigate the impact on local agencies already dealing with funding shortages.