California Assertive Field-Based SUD Services Training Slides
This library provides webinar materials from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Health Management Associates (HMA), and partners to support the seamless implementation of the Assertive Field-Based Initiation for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Services.
BHSA Requirements: Overview of Assertive Field-Based SUD Services Webinar
This webinar provides an overview of the history of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and its relationship to historic and other existing behavioral health policy changes. The webinar also describes the requirements and implementation opportunities related to Assertive Field-Based Initiation of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) (FBSS) treatment and services.
Harm Reduction: A Guiding Philosophy for Assertive Field-Based Initiation of Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Services
This webinar explores how counties can effectively design, implement, and evaluate harm reduction services for people who use drugs and are at high risk of overdose by grounding efforts in lived experience, evidence, and measurable quality.
The Science of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT)
This webinar provides education to providers, patients and community members regarding common barriers and misconceptions about substance use and medications for addiction treatment (MAT). The webinar also highlights up to date information about MAT to increase access, uptake and continuation of MAT among clients, and medication provision and prescribing among providers.
Modernizing Assertive Field-based Initiation of Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Service Outreach Through Integrated, Public Health-Driven Data
This webinar explores how data can be strategically used to strengthen outreach to communities at risk of overdose by moving from concept to real-world application. The webinar also helps to identify, assess, and apply diverse data sources—including public health, administrative, law enforcement, and lived experience data—to better understand community need and target outreach efforts.
The Role of Street Medicine and Other Field-Based Services in Behavioral Health Service Delivery
This webinar introduces street medicine and other field-based services within the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), highlighting their role in treating BHSA‑eligible individuals—particularly people experiencing homelessness or at high risk of poor health outcomes. The webinar also outlines practical strategies for delivering comprehensive care in the field, assessing community needs, and building cross‑sector partnerships to strengthen outreach, engagement, and overall program impact.
Client Engagement and Navigation Services for Those Who Are Unhoused: Panel Discussion
This panel discussion explores practical, field-tested strategies for supporting individuals who are unhoused and require outreach-based and related services. Panelists share evidence-based approaches drawn from their direct work on the ground.
Initiation and Management of Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) in Hard-to-Reach Populations
This webinar addresses important considerations for initiating and managing FDA-approved medications for addiction treatment (MAT), including medications for treating both opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in hard-to-reach populations.
Open-Access Clinic Models
This webinar explores the role of low-barrier, open-access clinic models in expanding Assertive Field-Based Initiation for Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Services (AFBSS). The webinar also reviews the spectrum of open-access clinic models, metrics for success, and specific strategies for implementing open-access clinic models.
Workforce Recruitment and Retention
This webinar explores the unique workforce requirements of field-based, integrated behavioral health care delivery and will highlight how the model differs from traditional services. The webinar also covers system and workforce needs; how to identify and support staff by blending clinical expertise, lived experience, and evidence-based field-based practices; and the core competencies required for trauma-informed, low-barrier care, training, retention, evaluation, supervision and strategies to ameliorate burnout and support long-term engagement.
Models for Mobile Opioid Treatment Programs
This webinar provides an overview of the evolution of Mobile Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) services, including the history of methadone, key regulatory requirements, and the expansion of care through Mobile OTP units. The webinar also details how mobile services align with Assertive Field-Based Initiation for SUD treatment services (AFBSS) and how harm‑reduction principles continue to shape OTP practice.
Change Management for Implementation: Part 1
This webinar serves as a launch point to understanding change management and how all change is personal. The webinar describes a change roadmap to follow as a step-by-step guide, as well as learning how to use these tools like leading technical and adaptive changes throughout teams.
Change Management for Implementation: Part 2
This is the second webinar in the change management series. It reviews the change roadmap, delves into each step with supporting tools, and focuses on leading or assisting others impacted by change. The session covers strategies for managing resistance, readiness, and working on one’s confidence and conviction in a shared vision.
Operational Workflows: Methods in Prescribing Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) in the Field
This webinar provides an introduction that defines workflows and outlines its key elements. It includes a deep dive into workflows for integration of prescribing medication for addiction treatment (MAT) into field-based care, covering procurement and regulatory considerations (including pharmacy coordination), storage requirements, and team structure with clearly defined roles in care delivery (including relationship between county behavioral health staff and prescriber). The session also addresses patient-facing components such as assessment tools, consent processes, medication administration and prescribing, telehealth integration, and ongoing follow-up and support.
Outreach and Engagement Best Practices: Leveraging Existing Behavioral Health Programs: Panel Discussion
This panel discussion explores evidence-informed and practice-based strategies for designing and implementing assertive, field-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services by leveraging existing behavioral health infrastructure.
Financing and Sustainability for AFBSS: Panel Discussion
This webinar focuses on practical financing and sustainability strategies, including maximization of Medi-Cal dollars, braided funding, flexible funding for non-billable activities, and ways to build on existing county and community-based infrastructure. Panelists share about how they are approaching AFBSS funding locally, with attention to Medi-Cal, DMC/DMC-ODS, BHSA, opioid settlement funds, realignment, managed care partnerships, and small/rural county implementation realities.