The CalOptima Health Board of Directors approved expanding our Street Medicine Program to Santa Ana following successful operations in Garden Grove, Costa Mesa and Anaheim. Set to launch later this year, the program will provide primary care and social services to unhoused individuals through a partnership with the city. 

“This program will provide medical care directly to those living on the streets while connecting them to critical services that support their long-term health and well-being,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Vice Chair of the CalOptima Health Board. 

Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua added, “We have robust existing resources to serve this population, and we are fortunate to be adding CalOptima Health’s proven approach.” 

The Street Medicine Program is part of CalOptima Health's comprehensive strategy to address homelessness, which also includes housing grants and a 52-room Street Medicine Support Center opening in Garden Grove in 2026.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 

CalOptima Health is currently undertaking an organization-wide effort to prepare for the launch of a new Covered California line of business, effective January 1, 2027. A brief summary of recent readiness activities will be included in every Community Update newsletter starting this month through the plan launch. Since the beginning of March, the following activities have been completed:

• Procurement for an operational implementation support consultant closed on March 6 and resulted in six bids, with a selected vendor expected to be considered by the Board on May 1, 2025
• Provider network development and provider engagement activities have begun to build an adequate and quality-focused network
• Exhibits continue to be prepared for an initial Knox-Keene Act licensure filing with the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) in June 2025
• A staffing plan and Fiscal Year 2025–26 implementation budget continue to be prepared for the Board’s consideration on June 5, 2025
• CalOptima Health met with Covered California leadership to discuss the Qualified Health Plan (QHP) application process and approach 

March 30 was National Doctors’ Day. Thank you to CalOptima Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Medical Directors and Board member José Mayorga, M.D., for your commitment and dedication to serving our members daily. Our medical leaders bring a wealth of experience to serve our members, including 450 years’ worth of combined health care experience in pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, various types of surgery, managed care leadership, psychiatry, emergency medicine, hospital leadership and more.

At CalOptima Health, we're committed to providing high-quality health care and building strong connections with the members and stakeholders. We created a series of videos to introduce some of our key leaders who share why they are passionate about serving the needs of our community's most vulnerable. In this video, meet Chief Medical Officer Dr. Richard Pitts. As CMO, Dr. Pitts shares his personal journey, passion for health care and vision for ensuring CalOptima Health continues to meet our members’ needs. Watch Dr. Pitts' video.

Recently, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives passed competing budget resolutions that propose general total figures for federal spending and revenue adjustments. The resolutions do not yet specify cuts to specific programs, such as Medicaid. The Senate and House are still working to resolve their differing budget resolutions, and even then, any agreed-upon resolution would simply start a debate about specific program budget changes over the coming weeks or months. A final budget reconciliation package would then need to be drafted, considered and passed by both the Senate and House and finally signed by the president. As such, there are no specific impacts to CalOptima Health at this time. In the meantime, CalOptima Health’s executive leadership and Government Affairs team continue to participate in significant advocacy efforts to preserve Medicaid funding in collaboration with our contracted lobbyists and several trade associations. Most recently, CEO Michael Hunn met with U.S. Reps. Dave Min and Lou Correa at their district offices in Orange County.

Chief Operating Officer Yunkyung Kim recently testified at a California State Senate Health Committee informational hearing as the sole public Medi-Cal plan representative to discuss CalOptima Health’s successful rollout of Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports over the past three years in partnership with our local providers. As essential components of the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, ECM addresses clinical and non-clinical needs of our most vulnerable individuals through comprehensive case management, and Community Supports help address members’ health-related social needs to avoid higher, costlier levels of care. CalOptima Health was one of the first Medi-Cal plans to offer all 14 Community Supports and continues to build upon these services to improve whole-person care for our members. To further support these efforts, CalOptima Health leaders have been meeting with Orange County's state legislative delegation to advocate for maintaining state investments in the CalAIM initiative. Watch Yunkyung’s opening remarks here.

Last month, CalOptima Health celebrated the grand opening of the last of 10 Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP)-funded WellSpaces at Back Bay High School in Costa Mesa. SBHIP invested $25.5 million in a variety of mental health interventions in all 29 Orange County school districts, including the WellSpaces. CalOptima Health collaborated with Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), part of Rady Children’s Health, and the Orange County Department of Education on each WellSpace. These spaces on school campuses provide students with a safe place to practice social-emotional learning skills and de-escalate mental health concerns. The WellSpaces are intended to help students develop resilience, perseverance and adaptability. Below are the 10 SBHIP-funded schools that are among a total of 57 WellSpaces in Orange County public schools:

• Marco Forester Middle School – Anaheim
• Alamitos Intermediate – Garden Grove
• Ocean View High School – Huntington Beach
• Estancia High School – Costa Mesa
• Ball Junior High School – Anaheim
• Loara High School – Anaheim
• Marina High School – Huntington Beach
• Lathrop High School – Santa Ana
• Willard Intermediate – Santa Ana
• Back Bay High School – Costa Mesa

Congratulations to the 16 organizations that recently completed the second cohort of CalOptima Health’s Nonprofit Health Care Academy. Over the past four months, these organizations have engaged in a series of skill-building sessions, including technical assistance and financial resiliency workshops, aimed at strengthening their capacity for growth. Facilitated by our expert consulting partners — Consilience Group, Quantified Ventures and Aguiar Professional Training — the academy provided valuable insights and tools to better equip the nonprofit organizations for future partnerships with CalOptima Health and the broader health care sector.

Taking a new approach to promote our senior programs, CalOptima Health arranged to participate in a segment on KTLA LA Unscripted. CalOptima Health Medical Director Steven Arabo, M.D., described the benefits of OneCare for Orange County seniors on Medi-Cal and Medicare, and Monica Macias-Garcia, Director of CalOptima Health PACE, discussed our PACE center and services. The segment ran three times and is posted on the KTLA website here.

PACE's Marketing and Enrollment team launched a new Referral Program to raise awareness about the benefits and services PACE has to offer. In 2024, 8% of enrolled members were referred by current PACE participants. To increase future referrals, Enrollment Coordinators have been leading monthly presentations to inform current participants about the referral program and answer any questions they may have. Participants are encouraged to fill out PACE Refer-a-Friend cards if they know someone who may benefit from enrolling in PACE. Participants must talk to their friends/family and get their consent before submitting a referral form. 

Participants who refer a friend receive PACE prizes like reusable water bottles, notebooks or fans as a thank you. If their friend is successfully enrolled, they will receive a plush PACE travel blanket. 

If you know an older adult who wants to stay independent and is looking for complete health care, including home care, home-delivered medications and meals and a coordinated all-in-one program, contact the PACE marketing and enrollment team at 1-844-999-PACE (7223) or visit www.caloptima.org/PACE. 

In August 2023, the Board approved purchasing 250,000 doses of naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose of opioids. CalOptima Health team executed an education and distribution plan that included instructional training videos, InfoSeries webinars, and collaboration with community-based organizations, community health centers, colleges and schools. Through partnerships with organizations like Fentanyl Solutions and Recovery Road, we distributed large quantities of naloxone directly to recovery organizations, and through community events, we distributed naloxone directly to our members and community-based organizations and providers. This week we will ship the last of our supply of naloxone. We know this effort has saved countless lives, and we thank all of you for being part of its success. Please see the press release with results from our recent distribution event. 

This month, we are launching a large-scale, out-of-home, place-based advertising campaign for our OneCare program. Place-based advertising is an efficient way to reach prospective members through relevant and targeted outreach in specific places outside their homes.

The campaign will have a mix of placements to ensure a multi-touch campaign, including senior centers, pharmacies, clinics/point-of-care, grocery stores, Walmart stores, Western Union locations, restaurants, retail/recreation centers and digital bulletins.

This workshop provides medical providers with essential knowledge and practical strategies for effectively managing alcohol withdrawal in patients. It covers the pathophysiology of alcohol withdrawal, recognizing early symptoms and assessing factors for complications. Participants will learn evidence-based approaches for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.

When: Wednesday, April 2

Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom Webinar

• 1.5 CME and CE credits
• Registration is required, click here.
• For questions, send us an email.
• For more information, please see the flyer.

Join Korean Community Services (KCS), in collaboration with CalOptima Health, for the 2025 Korean Resource Fair. Enjoy a day filled with community resources:

• Apply for/renew Medi-Cal and CalFresh benefits
• Explore senior support programs
• Receive free general health screenings
• Receive dental care resources and oral health screenings
• Learn about mental health and wellness counseling
• Access information about housing resources and much more!

When: Saturday, April 5

Time: 9 a.m.–Noon

Location: Buena Park Community Center, 6688 Beach Blvd., Buena Park

Contact: (714) 449-1125

See flyer for event details.

Visit Pretend City for the Good to Go Fair, which will bring community partners, parents and caregivers the opportunity to explore the amazing resources and support that align with their children's and family's needs. Families will be provided with information on health development and milestones, free health screenings, literacy, creativity, math and S.T.E.M. resources provided by local schools and organizations.

Date: Saturday, April 5

Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Location: Pretend City Children's Museum Outdoor Parking Lot

29 Hubble, Irvine

For more information, click here.

Join CalOptima Health in collaboration with Olive Community Services for a Community Resource Fair. Learn about community resources for basic needs, health and wellness and mental health resources.

Event Highlights:

• Apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal
• Free health and dental screenings
• Free food distribution (while supplies last)
• Enjoy free family-friendly activities

When: Saturday, April 19

Time: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Location: Islamic Center of Yorba Linda, 4382 Eureka Ave., Yorba Linda

See here for English, Spanish and Vietnamese flyers.

Join Unidos South of OC for Dia Del Niño, a celebration of children and their rights. This event brings together individuals, groups and organizations to create a fun and meaningful day for families in the community.

When: Saturday, April 26

Time: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Location: Stone Field Park, 31422 Camino Capistrano., San Juan Capistrano

For more information, click here.

Join us for a presentation overview on an introduction to trauma-informed care. In this presentation, we will explore the critical role of trauma-informed care in creating safe and supportive spaces for individuals affected by trauma. This is an approach that acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and prioritizes the physical, emotional and psychological safety of both clients and service providers.

• Space is limited! Please RSVP here by Monday, April 28.
• 1.5 CME and CE credits are offered
• For questions, send us an email.

When: Wednesday, April 30

Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom Webinar

For more information, please see attached flyer.

The Mental Health Association of Orange County is hosting the Meeting of the Minds Mental Health Conference. This year's theme is Caring: It Starts with YOU. The conference will feature 28 mental health workshops, provide community resources, networking and continuing education hours. A luncheon will be provided.

When: Friday, April 25

Time: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location: Anaheim Marriott, 700 W. Convention Way, Anaheim

For more information, to register or to sponsor, click here.

See flyer for conference details.

The American Academy of Pediatrics invites you to a family picnic to support the children of Orange County. Families will enjoy food, games and much more!

When: Wednesday, May 4

Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Location: Great Park Palm Court Lawn, 270 Corsair Ave., Irvine

To attend, please RSVP here.

See flyer for more event details.

Join Mercy Health for the second annual Mercy Mental Health Summit. This summit brings together health care leaders, clinicians, administrators, CBOs, policymakers and many more to address the critical need for unified care delivery in our evolving health care landscape. Learn from expert speakers, engage in collaborative discussions and discover practical strategies for breaking down silos between health and behavioral health services.

When: Thursday, May 22

Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: Sheraton Cerritos Hotel, 12725 Center Ct. Dr. S., Cerritos

Click here to register.

Visit mercymentalhealthsummit.com for more information.

The Office on Aging of Orange County is offering a Healthy Living workshop leader training. Empower others by becoming a Healthy Living leader and help people manage chronic conditions to improve their quality of life. This free training will provide you with skills to help others improve their health.

When: Monday, April 21–Wednesday, June 11 (must attend classes)

Time: 2–5 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Register by Wednesday, April 16

See flyer for more details.

Click here for the application

For more information, click here.

Shape Your Life offers interactive group lessons and fun activities through in-person or virtual classes at no cost.

Participants can register for their desired class by clicking on the Zoom registration link.

• Spanish, every Tuesday 5–6 p.m. Click here to register. 
• English, every Thursday 5–6 p.m. Click here to register.   

Participants interested in enrolling in an in-person class with their families can submit their contact information here.

To learn more, view flyers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

The purpose of this class is to provide education on how to prevent, monitor and manage blood pressure. This class is open to the community and available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Classes are available via Zoom:

• Wednesday, April 2, 1 p.m. – Vietnamese, register here.
• Wednesday, April 2, 4 p.m. – English, register here.
• Thursday, April 3, 11 a.m. – English, register here.
• Friday, April 4, 11 a.m. – Spanish, register here.  
• Monday, April 7, 3 p.m. – English, register here.  
• Tuesday, April 8, 10 a.m. – English, register here.
• Wednesday, April 9, 10 a.m. – Vietnamese, register here.
• Wednesday, April 9, 4 p.m. – Spanish, register here.  
• Thursday, April 10, 11 a.m. – Spanish, register here.
• Friday, April 11, 11 a.m. – English, register here.  

Come walk with us every Tuesday! Meet other parents, get fresh air and explore the joys of parenthood together. Stroller walks for parents is a six-week event that will connect you to community resources and education. This event is open to CalOptima Health Medi-Cal members who are pregnant or have a child under two years old.

When: Tuesday, April 1

Time: 10–11 a.m.

Where: Santiago Park, 600 E. Memory Lane., Santa Ana

Click here for the flyer and registration.

Individuals who are covered by both Medi-Cal and Medicare could qualify for CalOptima Health OneCare (HMO D-SNP), a Medicare Medi-Cal Plan. Learn more about this special plan at our upcoming in-person presentations: 

Dennys | 13302 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove

• Friday, April 4, 1–2 p.m.
• Monday, April 14, 4–5 p.m.
• Friday, April 25, 4–5 p.m.
• Monday, April 28, 1–2 p.m.

CalOptima Health | 505 City Parkway West, Orange

• Wednesday, April 2, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Friday, April 4, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Monday, April 7, 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, April 10, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Monday, April 14, 1–3 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 15, 10 a.m.–Noon
• Thursday, April 17, 10 a.m.–Noon

Superior Grocers | 1710 S. Main St., Santa Ana

• Tuesday, April 1, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, April 3, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 8, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, April 10, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 15, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, April 17, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 22, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Thursday, April 24, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 29, 10 a.m.–Noon and 2–4 p.m.

Presentations are only offered in English, and light snacks will be served. To learn more, view event flyers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. For questions and to RSVP, call CalOptima Health OneCare at 1-800-466-0524.

Medi-Cal and CalFresh enrollers are available for enrollment support in our communities. Let's connect our community!

Click here for the Community Enroller Contact information list.

Please join Orange County Office on Aging for an online presentation discussing findings and next steps for development of the Orange County Master Plan for Aging.

When: Thursday, April 3

Time: Noon–1 p.m.

Where: Online event

Click here to register.