The Commission for Behavioral Health SUD Pilot Project
CIBHS’ SUD Pilot Program builds a sustainable, equity-centered infrastructure for Medication-Assisted Treatment by integrating medical care into non-medical settings and advancing scalable financing and delivery models across California.
Project Start/End Dates: 2024 to 2027
Geographical Area(s) of Focus: Los Angeles County, Nevada County, Marin County
Funder: The Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH)
Project Overview
CIBHS leads a pioneering Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Pilot Program designed to move beyond short-term solutions and establish a permanent, financially sustainable infrastructure for recovery across California. Operating in Los Angeles, Marin, and Nevada Counties, the pilot advances scalable models that strengthen access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) across diverse community contexts.
By increasing the number of Incidental Medical Services (IMS)–certified programs and stabilizing the MAT workforce, this pilot lays the foundation for a scalable, equitable, and financially viable system of care that can be sustained long after pilot funding concludes.
Needs
California continues to face an escalating opioid and fentanyl crisis, compounded by workforce shortages, fragmented delivery models, and overreliance on time-limited grant funding. Expanding access to MAT—particularly in non-medical treatment settings—requires sustainable financing, integrated medical capacity, and trust-centered approaches that reach communities most impacted by substance use disparities.
Approach
The pilot expands MAT access by integrating medical prescribers into traditionally non-medical settings, including Residential Treatment and Intensive Outpatient Programs. CIBHS works alongside county partners and providers to build long-term clinical and financial capacity while testing innovative delivery models that can be replicated statewide.
Key Focus Areas
Sustainable Financing & Payment Reform
Advancing a cost-sharing model by supporting providers in adopting new Medi-Cal payment reform protocols, enabling a transition from grant dependence to sustainable medical billing and long-term prescriber stability.
Innovative Delivery Models
Scaling a Telephone Prescriber Model in partnership with county public health leadership to enable rapid onboarding of life-saving care and establish a blueprint for broader statewide implementation.
Learning Collaborative & Systems Alignment
Facilitating a high-level Learning Collaborative that brings together county leaders, UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program, and commission staff to share data, address barriers, and refine best practices in real time.
Equity-Centered Implementation
Following Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) guidelines, CIBHS employs participatory strategies to ensure the pilot reaches populations most impacted by the opioid crisis. This includes stipending trusted community organizations, supporting data-driven identification of access gaps, and developing culturally responsive, bilingual outreach and workforce strategies.
