Strategies for Advancing California Behavioral Health Reform
INSIGHTS FROM THE second annual VISION 2030 SOLUTION SYMPOSIUM
California’s behavioral health system is at an inflection point. In recent years, the state has made significant investments and advanced major reforms to transform our system to be more integrated and human-centered.
At the same time, federal priorities have shifted. HR1 threatens millions of Californians’ access to health care, and recent executive orders prioritize criminalizing homelessness, substance use disorder and mental illness over treatment.
Protecting our progress
The second annual Vision 2030 Solution Symposium brought over 250 leaders across policy, healthcare, community organizations, and individuals with lived experience together to strategize around both immediate threats and long-term implementation needs for our behavioral health system.
Across six panels, each tackling some of our biggest challenges as a state—homelessness, incarceration, crisis response, system fragmentation—key themes emerged on the challenges, opportunities, and strategies to building an accessible, effective system for every Californian.
Strategies for Advancing Behavioral Health Reform
Download the Symposium recap report for detailed panel takeaways, insights, and actionable strategies shaping the future of behavioral health reform
What is the Vision 2030 Solution Symposium?
Hosted by the Steinberg Institute, California’s leading force in behavioral health policy and advocacy, the Vision 2030 Solution Symposium is where the most influential visionaries, changemakers, and advocates convene to discuss how to transform California’s behavioral health systems of care.
Held in Sacramento, the symposium is a powerful demonstration of leaders across sectors working together to drive real, systemic change.
Symposium panel recordings
Panels included roundtable discussions on how to achieve our Vision 2030 goals to build a robust behavioral health workforce, expand access to care, and dramatically reduce hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration among those living with behavioral health conditions.
Breaking the Cycle: Strategies to Reduce Homelessness, Incarceration, and Hospitalization
Moderated by Margot Kushel, MD
Professor of Medicine, Division Chief, UCSF Division of Health and Society, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center
- Randy Carter – Peer Counselor, Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Associate Director of The 50 Documentary
- Anthony Menacho – Executive Director, Sacramento Street Medicine
- Claire Simonich – Associate Director, Vera California, Vera Institute of Justice
- Alex Visotzky – Senior California Policy Fellow, National Alliance to End Homelessness
From Incarceration to Care: Decriminalizing and Caring for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
Moderated by Karen Larsen, LMFT
Chief Executive Officer, Steinberg Institute
- Doug Bond – President & CEO, Amity Foundation
- Yngvild Olsen – National Advisor, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
- Gary Tsai, MD, DFAPA, FASAM – Director, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) Bureau, County of Los Angeles, Dept of Public Health
Aligning Systems for Impact: Policy, Provider, and Payer Perspectives on Behavioral Health Reform
Moderated by Kana Enomoto
Director of Brain Health, McKinsey Health Institute
- Jacey Cooper – President, Precision Health Strategies
- Al Guida – President & CEO, Guide Consulting Services, Inc.
- Marko Mijic – Vice President for Community Health, Kaiser Permanente
Redefining Response: Building a Safe and Effective Crisis Response System
Moderated by Tara Gamboa-Eastman
Director of Government Affairs, Steinberg Institute
- Todd Henry – Police Chief, Davis Police Department
- Michael Mohun – Battalion Chief, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
- Kelli Weaver, LCSW – Behavioral Health Deputy Director, Behavioral Health Services, Department of Health Services, County of Sacramento
Protecting California’s Progress: Advancing Reform Amid Uncertainty
Moderated by Darrell Steinberg
Former Sacramento Mayor, Founder of Steinberg Institute
- Susan Talamantes Eggman, PhD, LCSW – Former State Senator, District 5, and Author of Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)
- Dr. Mark Ghaly – Former Secretary, California Health & Human Services
Modern Systems for a Strained Workforce: Technology, Access, and the Next Era of Behavioral Health
Moderated by Andrew Barr
Founder, GreyMatter
- Dr. Caroline Fenkel, DSW, LCSW – Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer, Charlie Health
- Noa Oldak-Moradian – Director of Community Engagement, Brightline
- Laura Tully, Ph.D. – Vice President of Partnerships, Kooth Digital Health
- Elise Witek, MA, LMHC – Senior Director of Partnerships, Eleos Health
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
