California CCBHC CNA learning circle
EMPOWERING IN-HOUSE CERTIFICATION TEAMS
OVERVIEW
People’s Health Solutions is piloting a new resource through our Community Research Lab! The Community Needs Assessment Learning Circle will offer staff of certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHC) in California training, peer support, tools, and technical assistance to complete their required community needs assessments (CNA) in-house. The inaugural pilot group of clinics will complete their CCBHC CNA together from Fall 2026 through Winter 2027.
about the initiative
CCBHC go through certification every three years and are required to complete a CNA as part of this process. PHS is here to support public health leaders in running a people-centered and data-driven CNA in-house through a process that builds internal research capacity. This learning circle is part of our mission to uplift changemakers who are working to build healthy communities. Over six months, your team will facilitate a compliant CCBHC CNA and complete a comprehensive report. You have the leaders. We provide the scaffolding, resources, and support. Most of all, we build community together in the process and create a support network of California CCBHC CNA leaders.
Eight 1.5-hour learning sessions (20 min check-in, 60 min didactics, 10 min action steps) spaced over six months to guide participants through the CNA process and reporting. Learning Circles will be facilitated on Zoom, and we will offer language support (e.g. ASL) as requested. The pilot group is limited to 3-4 clinics.
Weekly office hours with PHS consultants will provide a space to workshop and discuss assignments – whether these be downloading and visualizing your community health data or convening staff to create your Action Plan. Our team will be beside you to answer questions and to offer coaching and technical assistance.
Ready-to-use tools will be provided, including a report shell that you will fill in with consultant and peer support; a PHS-developed tool for gathering community health indicators and visualizing trends; a custom-built app for visualizing your CCBHC service area; and user-friendly software to support team qualitative data analysis.
Engagement activities help support fun and creativity. A Shoestring Activity will be taught to inspire, energize, and help you to encourage divergent thinking around community assets. A Co-opitation Activity will guide you in navigating your teams from an initial resource list to community-informed care coordination strategies
discovery calls
Are you a member of the staff of a CCBHC? We’d love to schedule a discovery call! Our PHS team is holding exploratory calls to learn how different organizations are approaching their CNA. These conversations are our way of meeting community leaders and refining the learning sessions to be as responsive and useful as possible. For more information about the pilot group, please contact Dr. Melissa King at mking@peopleshealthsolutions.com.