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County of Santa Clara Enrolls First Individual in California in a Program Providing Medi-Cal Services for Those Returning Home from Incarceration

More than 100 individuals have already been enrolled in the program

Santa Clara County, Calif. – The County of Santa Clara is now the first county in the State of California to enroll individuals in a cutting edge state initiative providing Medi-Cal services for those planning their return to community from incarceration. More than 100 individuals have been enrolled in the program in the first month.

The state-wide program is scheduled to be implemented in every California county by October 1, 2025, and Santa Clara County, Inyo County, and Yuba County were the first jurisdictions approved to begin delivering a targeted set of Medi-Cal services for those exiting correctional facilities. 

“We are proud to be the first county in the State of California to register community members in this program" said Susan Ellenberg, President of the Board of Supervisors for the County of Santa Clara. “When individuals return from time spent incarcerated to live and work in their home communities, it is in our collective interest to ensure they have the resources needed to succeed."
 
The CalAIM Justice-Involved Initiative provides medical and behavioral health services for Medi-Cal eligible adults and youth in correctional facilities in the 90-day period before their release. This initiative will boost current programs that stabilize chronic and significant clinical health conditions, including mental illness and substance use disorders. Through the key benefit, care management and coordination will facilitate a coordinated reentry and linkage to behavioral health and medical services in the community supporting a smoother transition and improve general health and safety. 

“Ensuring quality medical care for everyone in our community is the core mission of Santa Clara Valley Healthcare,” said Greta Hansen, Chief Operating Officer for the County of Santa Clara. “For individuals in County jail, that care often begins with the services offered by our Custody Health team.  This new effort will ensure that care continues to be provided through our hospitals and clinics after release. Providing continued, quality care will improve health outcomes, reduce future emergency department visits or long-term hospital stays, and support reduced recidivism.”

Medi-Cal members who are eligible for pre-release services will be offered comprehensive reentry coordination, behavioral health linkage, and care coordination during a 90-day pre-release period and through the enhanced care management benefit for a period of up to 12 months after the individual is released from the correctional facility.

Further, the Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative will address equity gaps and improve health outcomes for people who are or have been incarcerated, many of whom are disproportionately affected communities of color. 
 
“Communities of color are disproportionately represented in carceral settings and ensuring a better start for individuals departing our care is a vital step in helping them return to the community with more opportunities to thrive,” said Dr. Clifford Wang, Interim Director of Custody Health. “Often, this is their first time receiving proper medical and mental health care and this program allows for continuance of their healthcare after they leave.”

This initiative will support stabilization of chronic and significant clinical health conditions, including mental illness and substance use disorders across the continuum of care, and will facilitate a coordinated reentry to support smoother transitions and improve public health and safety. 

“Medical and mental health care has been long provided in the custody setting. By recognizing the services as Medi-Cal benefits, the State is developing standards that will guide the practices and services across the state. Coverage is the first step to access to care - access to care is a step toward optimization of health,” said Ky Le, Deputy County Executive for the County of Santa Clara.   

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Pre-release benefits include comprehensive care management and coordination, physical and behavioral health consultations, lab and radiology services, medications and services for mental health and substance use disorders, community health worker services, and medications and durable medical equipment provided to the individual at the time of release.

“Those who receive pre-release services in custody will receive a transition plan for the medical, behavioral, and social needs for supporting immediately following their release and connection to services for the next 12 months,” said Michelle dela Calle, Director of System Integration for Santa Clara Valley Healthcare.
 
Individuals who have been incarcerated are largely people of color and have considerable health care needs but are often without care and medications upon release. 
 

Contact: Santa Clara Valley Healthcare Media Relations, (408) 568-3122, [email protected]

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About Santa Clara Valley Healthcare
Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH), California's second-largest County-owned health and hospital system, is comprised of three acute care hospitals, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, O’Connor Hospital, and St. Louise Regional Hospital, along with a network of primary and specialty clinics. SCVH emphasizes quality care, research, teaching, innovation, and most importantly, a focus on coordinated, compassionate and patient-centered care for every patient. SCVH is also the home for the County’s Custody Health Services department, providing medical attention to those under our care. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare and excellent service to everyone in Santa Clara County, regardless of their social-economic status or ability to pay.

 

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