We’re your partner in behavioral health
We are a team of behavioral health experts who care deeply about working with California communities and behavioral health organizations to improve the lives of people with mental health and substance use challenges.
Mission Statement
The California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) is a behavioral health consultancy for systems, organizations, and providers who desire to improve outcomes for people with mental health and substance use challenges. We do this through clinical practice and policy implementation, behavioral health training, evaluation, and customized solutions.
1945-2019
Our History
The California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) was founded in 1993 as The California Institute for Mental Health (CIMH), a nonprofit established under the leadership of Founding Director and CEO Dr. Sandra Naylor Goodwin. CIMH was created at the request of the California Mental Health Directors Association (CMHDA) and the State to support county behavioral health departments through training, technical assistance, and policy implementation.
In 2014, CIMH merged with the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy Institute (ADPI) to form the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS), creating a unified organization designed to meet the growing demand for integrated mental health and substance use solutions across California. This merger mirrored the unification of the County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrators Association of California (CADPAAC) and the California Mental Health Directors Association (CMHDA) into the California Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA).
Throughout our history, CIBHS has worked side by side with communities and within the behavioral health system to co-design solutions that reflect local voices, remove barriers, and improve outcomes for those most impacted. At a systems level, this has included helping establish Children’s Systems of Care, supporting the adoption of evidence-based practices, leading flagship implementation strategies through the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN), and most recently serving as third-party administrator for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) EBP and Community-Defined Evidence Practice (CDEP) Implementation Project.
Today, CIBHS serves as a vital catalyst for change in California’s evolving behavioral health ecosystem. With deep expertise in both clinical evidence-based practices and community-defined innovations, CIBHS bridges these two worlds by delivering practical, equitable solutions that help communities, individuals, and behavioral health organizations across California thrive.
Health Equity Statement
At the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS), equity is foundational to building a strong and responsive behavioral health system across California. Our work is grounded in addressing disparities and supporting access to high-quality behavioral health care for all individuals, regardless of race, culture, language, or background.
CIBHS is committed to:
Centering Lived Experience
Informing culturally responsive and community-defined approaches through lived experience.
Inclusive Workplace Culture
Fostering a supportive environment where staff, partners, and community members are respected and supported.
Elevating Community Voice
Ensuring communities historically excluded from program design, implementation, and evaluation are meaningfully engaged.
Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Advancing equity-centered practices across our organization, the behavioral health system, and the communities we serve.
Through collaborative partnerships, data-informed strategies, and capacity building, CIBHS works to strengthen behavioral health systems while supporting community leadership and participation. Equity is not a standalone effort—it is integrated into how we work, partner, and pursue meaningful, sustained impact.
Meet Our Team
CIBHS leadership team is comprised of behavioral health experts with more than 20 years experience each in the field. Our expertise includes clinical practice improvement, implementation, health equity facilitation, and clinical and operational training skills.
