From Recognition to Integration: Investing in Community-Defined Evidence for Mental Health EquityLessons Learned From Our Work With Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health

In the last nine months, Third Sector has worked closely with the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health and three community-based organizations that offer CDEPs in the county to identify practical, tailored strategies for CDEP sustainability. These strategies offer ongoing revenue opportunities for community-based organizations through integration with Medi-Cal billable services. These three examples illustrate how other counties can integrate and sustain CDEPs into a thriving behavioral health ecosystem, functioning as program delivery settings, access points, or embedded supports.