Transformational Change Partnership
The Transformational Change Partnership (TCP) supports California counties in implementing the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) by providing coordinated, equity-centered technical assistance that strengthens systems, modernizes operations, and improves access to comprehensive, recovery-oriented behavioral health care.
Project Start/End Dates: 2023 to 2026
Geographical Area(s) of Focus: select counties in California
Funder: The Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH)
Team Members: Jennifer Clancy, Phanit Dy, Antoinette Manuel, and Ryan Mertz
Project Overview
The Transformational Change Partnership (Partnership) is a multidisciplinary collaboration designed to support California counties in implementing the complex reforms of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). The Partnership provides coordinated implementation support to help counties modernize systems, strengthen community relationships, and advance preventative, person-centered behavioral health care.
The Partnership brings together experts from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, Third Sector, CIBHS, the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing, and the Steinberg Institute to deliver integrated legal, fiscal, operational, and equity-focused guidance that supports long-term systems transformation.
Why This Work Matters
BHSA implementation requires counties to navigate significant policy, operational, and fiscal change while maintaining service continuity and advancing equity. Counties need coordinated, cross-disciplinary support to translate statutory requirements into practice, modernize legacy systems, and design approaches that reduce disparities and improve outcomes for communities across California.
How This Work Is Done
The Transformational Change Partnership provides hands-on implementation support grounded in human-centered design, prevention-focused strategies, and cross-sector collaboration. Through coordinated technical assistance, tools, and capacity building, the Partnership helps counties align policy, financing, operations, and community engagement to meet BHSA goals.
As a subcontractor, CIBHS provides equity-based training and technical assistance to county health and human services teams and their partners. This work strengthens organizational infrastructure, processes, and systems across clinical, fiscal, and administrative domains.
Key Focus Areas
BHSA Implementation Support
Helping counties translate statutory requirements into actionable, sustainable systems and practices.
Co-Design
Supporting counties to work with the communities they serve in redesigning processes and services to improve access, effectiveness, and user experience.
Equity-Centered Capacity Building
Delivering training and technical assistance that center lived experience, cultural responsiveness, and community-informed approaches.
Operational & Fiscal Modernization
Strengthening clinical, administrative, and fiscal infrastructure to support compliance, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Facilitating alignment across legal, policy, health, and community partners to support coordinated systems change.