SICBHAG (pronounced sic-bee-hag): Steinberg Institute California Behavioral Health Acronym Guide
When navigating California public policy, you cannot escape the alphabet soup of acronyms. From new state budget initiatives to complex local impact reports, the terminology can easily blend into an overwhelming maze of capital letters.
Back in 2022, we shared the top 10 mental health acronyms you needed to know. Since then, we have seen historic voter-approved propositions, landmark initiatives, and funding reforms pass and go into effect.
So…drumroll please…we are pleased to share our updated list of acronyms for 2026 (you’re welcome).
Below is your essential cheat sheet to mental health and substance use disorder acronyms, organized by treatment models, facilities, state agencies, and legislative initiatives.
Download it. Print it out. Tape it to your monitor. Memorize it and impress your friends at parties.
Evidence-based Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs
ACT = Assertive Community Treatment
Assertive Community Treatment is an evidence-based service model consisting of a multi-disciplinary team providing intensive services to people with serious mental illnesses and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.
FACT = Forensic Assertive Community Treatment
The Forensic Assertive Community Treatment model connects behavioral health care with reentry and supervision systems to reduce incarceration and support long-term stability. In California, FACT is typically delivered within ACT teams or broader care structures, rather than as a standalone program.
ECM = Enhanced Care Management
Enhanced Care Management is a statewide benefit that provides a community-based, whole-person approach to care. Providers deliver intensive, in-person care coordination and care management services–including coordination to social support services, family supports, and more–to individuals with complex behavioral health needs.
CSC = Coordinated Specialty Care
Coordinated Specialty Care is an evidence-based model of care where clients work with care providers to develop their treatment plan.
PHP = Partial Hospitalization Program
A Partial Hospitalization Program provides structured outpatient care for individuals who need a higher level of care for a serious mental illness (SMI), with services ranging from individual and group therapy to medication management. It as an alternative to inpatient care with more intensive care; patients can spend several hours a day in treatment
IOP = Intensive Outpatient Program
An Intensive Outpatient Program is a type of structured treatment for individuals with mental illnesses or substance use disorder that provides comprehensive care that allows patients to live at home during treatment. It is often used as a step-down level of care from a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
FSP = Full Service Partnership
A Full Service Partnership program is an intensive outpatient mental health treatment program for people with serious mental illness (SMI). FSPs are built on a “whatever it takes” approach, meaning services extend far beyond traditional mental health treatment. In addition to therapy and psychiatric care, they offer wraparound supports like housing assistance, employment services, money management, and 24/7 crisis availability.
MBC = Measurement-Based Care
Measurement-Based Care is a clinical process that uses standardized, repeated measurements to track a client’s progress and make treatment plans and decisions. It specifically promotes data-informed, patient-centered care.
MIC = Measurement-Informed Care
Measurement-Informed Care is a process that recognizes measurement as a vital, though not exclusive, factor informing behavioral health treatment decisions. It involves using reliable tools for repeated clinical measurements of user-reported outcomes and/or biometric indicators. The patient and provider regularly monitor progress to identify areas for improvement and make better-informed decisions about treatment plans and interventions.
CCM = Collaborative Care Model
A Collaborative Care Model is a team-based framework designed to treat behavioral health conditions directly in primary care settings. The team implements a measurement-guided care plan based on evidence-based practice guidelines.
Mental Health & Behavioral Health Facilities
CSU = Crisis Stabilization Unit
A Crisis Stabilization Unit is a 24/7 facility providing crisis intervention and stabilization to prevent hospitalization of a client in a mental health crisis.
IMD = Institution for Mental Disease
An Institution for Mental Disease is a hospital, nursing facility, or other residential institution with more than 16 beds that provides mental health treatment, nursing care services, and/or medical treatment.
California’s Public Behavioral Health System Programs and Levels of Care
MCMC = Medi-Cal Managed Care
Medi-Cal Managed Care is a health care delivery system that contracts services through networks of organized systems of care, namely primary and preventive care.
SMHS = Specialty Mental Health Services
Specialty Mental Health Services is a Medi-Cal waiver that provides mental health services to Medi-Cal users through county health plans. SMHS are typically reserved for individuals with higher levels of care needs.
CP/TAD = Community Paramedicine and Triage to Alternate Destination
Community Paramedicine and Triage to Alternate Destination are models that allow trained 911 paramedics and first responders to take people in crisis directly to sobering centers, crisis stabilization units, or psychiatric health facilities, instead of emergency departments.
PEI = Prevention and Early Intervention
Prevention and Early Intervention focuses on providing services that reduce the risk of serious mental illness or substance abuse disorders by intervening in early childhood.
California State Departments, Agencies, and Commissions
DHCS = Department of Health Care Services
The California Department of Health Care Services is the state department responsible for financing and delivering Medi-Cal. It also acts as California’s State Mental Health Authority.
CalHHS = California Health and Human Services Agency
The California Health and Human Services Agency oversees all state departments providing social support services – including health care, mental health, public health, social services, and income assistance.
CBH = Commission for Behavioral Health
The Commission for Behavioral Health, also known as the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, was established in 2004 through Proposition 63 to oversee implementation of the Mental Health Services Act. The 27-member committee leverages research and evaluation to support the implementation of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), provide grants and technical assistance, and shape behavioral health policy.
EMSA = Emergency Medical Services Authority
The Emergency Medical Services Authority establishes statewide standards for developing and implementing emergency care.
Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA)
California regions operate their own Local Emergency Medical Services Agency, which is responsible for implementing EMSA standards and tailoring protocols to local needs.
California Initiatives, Reforms, and Policies
LPS = Lanterman-Petris-Short Act
The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act was landmark legislation passed in 1967 that established strict due process protections for mental health clients, intending to “end the inappropriate, indefinite, and involuntary commitment” of individuals with mental illnesses.
MHSA = Mental Health Services Act
The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) was landmark legislation authored by Steinberg Institute founder Darrell Steinberg and passed by voters through Proposition 63 in 2004. It established a 1 percent tax on personal incomes over $1 million, creating a permanent revenue stream for behavioral health services.
DMC-ODS = Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System waiver
In 2015, California received federal government approval for the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System waiver, a program that provides a continuum of care and delivery for SUD treatment services.
CalAIM = California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (2021)
CalAIM is a far-reaching set of reforms to expand, transform and streamline Medi-Cal service delivery and financing. The behavioral health component of CalAIM aims to improve delivery system processes, behavioral health policies, and behavioral health payment reform.
BHCIP = Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program
The Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, enacted in 2021, is a program that distributes $2.2 billion to construct, acquire, and expand properties and invest in mobile crisis infrastructure related to behavioral health.
CYBHI = Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative is an initiative from the Budget Act of 2021 investing in efforts that promote the social and emotional well-being, preventing behavioral health challenges, and providing equitable, appropriate, timely, and accessible services for emerging and existing mental health and substance use needs for children and youth ages 0–25
BHBH = Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (2022)
Passed through legislation in 2022, the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing initiative provides short- and mid-term temporary housing to help unhoused individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder transition into permanent homes.
BH-CONNECT = Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment
BH-CONNECT expands access to and strengthens the continuum of Medi-Cal behavioral health services for individuals living with significant behavioral health and substance use challenges. In 2024, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services approved components of BH-CONNECT through a new Section 1115 demonstration and several new State Plan Amendments.
BHSA = Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)
In 2024, Californians voted to modernize the MHSA through Proposition 1. The measure replaced the MHSA with the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and narrowed the focus of county spending to fewer categories with clearer targets and greater accountability.
BHT = Behavioral Health Transformation
Behavioral Health Transformation, administered by DHCS, is the effort to implement Proposition 1. It builds on other major initiatives passed in recent years, including BHCIP, BH-CONNECT, CalAIM, and CYBHI.
BHIBA = Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act
Included in the voter-passed 2024 Proposition 1 was the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act. It allocates $6.38 billion in bonds to finance services and facilities for individuals with behavioral health conditions at risk or currently homeless.
Conditions and Diagnoses
IST = Incompetent to Stand Trial
Incompetent to Stand Trial is a legal status in which a defendant is deemed mentally unable to understand or assist their own defense. It specifically evaluates individuals during their trial (not when the crime was committed).
SMI = Serious Mental Illness
Serious Mental Illness is defined by an adult having (within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that causes serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with one or more major life activities.
SUD = Substance Use Disorder
Substance Use Disorders is a mental health condition that causes uncontrolled use of substances such as alcohol or drugs, often interfering with one’s daily life.
As future legislative sessions introduce new initiatives and accountability measures, this alphabet soup will undoubtedly continue to expand.
At the Steinberg Institute, we remain dedicated to demystifying the policy process. We will keep updating this guide as the landscape evolves. In the meantime, bookmark this blog whenever you need a refresher on mental health acronyms!