After a dynamic development process, the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD) launched First Step: Behavioral Health Connection, Screening, and Referral, a single, system-wide point of access for information, screening, and referrals. The new system simplifies and streamlines the experience of accessing care, with the goal of making behavioral health support feel easier and more approachable to navigate.

First Step replaces what had been two separate helplines: one for mental health, staffed by ACBHD’s ACCESS division, and one for substance use, staffed by nonprofit partner Center Point.

Under the old model, a caller with both mental health and substance use needs often had to be transferred between teams and restart their screening from scratch.

Now, one call connects residents to a Clinical Review Specialist — a licensed clinician trained in both mental health and substance use screening — who can assess the full picture of what someone needs and refer them to the right care, in a single conversation.

First Step is one of several Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD) CalAIM integration initiatives.

California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) is a multi-year initiative by California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of Medi-Cal population by implementing broad delivery system, program, and payment reform across the Medi-Cal program.

The goal of CalAIM is to provide a more coordinated, person-centered, and equitable health system for all Californians. The behavioral health components of CalAIM are designed to support whole-person, integrated care – including moving the administration of Medi-Cal behavioral health to a more consistent and seamless system.