Adult Services Forum

An exploratory and informational space for member organizations to provide input on the CA Alliance's expansion into adult behavioral health services, and to inform our advocacy on behalf of providers of adult services.

Staff: Divya Shiv

Meets: Second Wednesday of every month, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

AI in Behavioral Health Workgroup

A collaborative forum for members to share successes and challenges with AI implementation in behavioral health clinical settings, keep up with related legislative action, and exchange resources as issues emerge.

Staff: Divya Shiv

Meets: Fourth Wednesday of every month, 12:00–1:30 p.m.

Behavioral Health Committee

Focuses on programming, services, best practices, funding, and policy updates and advocacy related to mental health, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and integrated service delivery.

Staff: Divya Shiv and Briana Tucker

Chair/Board Rep: Ellen McGuirk, South Coast Children's Society, Inc.

Meets: Third Friday of every month, 10:00–11:00 a.m.

CEO/ED Meeting

Where member CEOs and EDs come together to network, make connections, hear updates directly from the state and other stakeholders, and share best practices in a confidential forum.

Facilitator: CA Alliance CEO Pete Weldy

Meets: Third Friday of every month, 9:30–11:00 a.m.

Communications Network

Brings together communications staff from member organizations to share best practices and tools, collaborate on amplifying CA Alliance and member messaging, and learn from subject matter expert speakers.

Staff: Andy Rolleri

Meets: Every other month through the end of 2026, with no consistent day or time. Next meeting 10/29 at 10:00 a.m.

Education Committee

Focuses on education topics including nonpublic schools, special education, school-based behavioral health, community schools, and more.

Staff: Addison Peterson 

Chair: Emily Allison, Seneca Family of Agencies

Board Rep: Leticia Galyean, Seneca Family of Agencies

Meets: Second Monday of every month, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Evidence-Based Practices Learning Community

Helps members learn about child-focused Evidence-Based Practices through BH-CONNECT: Multisystemic Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Hosted for CA Alliance members by the Cardenas Consulting Group as a space to share best practices, challenges, and emerging issues. High Fidelity Wraparound is covered by its own forum.

Staff: Divya Shiv

Meets: Third Wednesday of every month, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Evolving CEO Group

A supportive group for CEOs and EDs who are new to the role or to the field, offering presentations, networking, and opportunities to share best practices. Seasoned CEOs are welcome here too.

Facilitators: CA Alliance CEO Pete Weldy and Sr. VP of Public Policy Adrienne Shilton

Meets: First Thursday of every month, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

FFA/Adoption Committees

Focuses on all topics related to the work of FFAs and adoption agencies, including community care licensing, family finding, the liability insurance crisis, Guardian, rate advocacy, PAARP, and more.

Staff: Elizabeth Oseguera

Chair: Victoria Kelly, Redwood Community Services

Board Rep: Shannon Pierce, Children First FFA

Meets: Second Friday of every month, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Health Plan Partnership Committee

Focuses on advocacy with the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance, commercial insurance plans, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and assisting members with service line expansion. The committee also leads policy proposals related to behavioral health parity and access.

Staff: Divya Shiv 

Chair: Garett Zabel, Pacific Clinics

Board Rep: Kathy McCarthy, Pacific Clinics

Meets: Third Thursday of every month, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) Forum

An informational and advocacy space where members shape our HFW advocacy strategy, hear updates on advocacy wins and conversations with the state, and learn about partnerships supporting our priorities. The forum also supports peer-to-peer sharing on HFW certification standards and helps our team identify the support providers need.

Staff: Divya Shiv and Annie Thomas

Meets: Last Friday of every month, 10:00–11:30 a.m.

HR and CFO Directors Workgroup

HR and CFO directors create and monitor policies and procedures within their organizations. This group meets monthly to share best practices, hear from financial and human resource experts, and network.

Facilitator: VP of Operations Kim Janoe

Meets: Third Thursday of every month, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Juvenile Justice Committee

Focuses on all topics related to justice-involved youth, including residential and non-residential interventions and programs, evidence-based practices specific to justice-involved youth, and more.

Staff: Annie Thomas and Dominique Harrison

Chair: Jamie Vasquez, Children's Institute

Board Rep: Gene Straub, Children's Institute

Meets: Third Tuesday of every month, 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Medication Management Workgroup

A space to discuss shared concerns, best practices, solutions, and regulatory issues around medication management. Intended for medical directors, MFTs, managers overseeing staff who provide medication support, and any staff who would benefit from the learning community.

Staff: Adrienne Shilton

Meets: Quarterly on Fridays, 12:30–1:30 p.m. Upcoming meetings 11/20 and 2/19.

ORR Workgroup

A collaborative forum to discuss challenges related to ORR contracts, identify emerging issues, and inform the CA Alliance's advocacy on behalf of providers and unaccompanied children and youth. Members also share promising practices and strategies for navigating barriers.

Staff: Adrienne Shilton and Elizabeth Oseguera

Meets: Every other month through the end of 2026, with no consistent day or time. Upcoming meetings 10/19 at 10:00 a.m. and 12/10 at 2:00 p.m.

Prevention Services Committee

Focuses on primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, including family resource centers and other family-strengthening programs.

Staff: Jasmin Asher

Chair/Board Rep: Jeff Farber, Helpline Youth Counseling

Meets: Second Monday of every month, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Residential Care Committee

Focuses on all topics related to residential care, including STRTPs, group homes, community treatment facilities, community care licensing, rate advocacy, Guardian, and more.

Staff: Annie Thomas and Tone Reyes, 

Chair: Federico Escobedo, Boys Republic

Board Rep: Chris Burns, Boys Republic

Meets: Second Wednesday of every month, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

TAY Services Committee

Focuses on the transition age youth population, including programs, services, and related bills and implementation. Members share best practices and concerns related to housing programs, the path toward independent living, funding, and more.

Staff: Selena Liu-Raphael and Celeste Walley

Chair/Board Rep: Thomas Lee, First Place for Youth

Meets: First Tuesday of every month, 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Transitional Rent Forum

Brings together members who provide Transitional Rent, refer clients to it, or are learning about it. The forum focuses on barriers to accessing Transitional Rent and to integrating it with other housing programs such as CalAIM and Full-Service Partnership housing supports, and informs our advocacy for providers and people at risk of homelessness.

Staff: Divya Shiv

Meets: Second Monday of every month, 3:00–4:00 p.m.