Family Engagement and California’s Whole Child Model: Lessons Learned from the Implementation of Family Advisory Committees

In 2016, California Senate Bill (SB) 586 created the California Children’s Services (CCS) Whole Child Model (WCM) for CCS-eligible children enrolled in Medi-Cal in 21 counties served by five County Organized Health Systems: CalOptima, CenCal Health, Central California Alliance for Health, Health Plan of San Mateo, and Partnership HealthPlan of California. Under the WCM, these health plans provide integrated Medi-Cal and CCS services to children enrolled in both programs. The WCM marks the first time Medi-Cal managed care health plans have been statutorily required to create Family Advisory Committees (FACs). The purpose of the FACs is to ensure that the health plans engage with CCS families and caregivers to bring their voices into the design, implementation, and ongoing management of the WCM, as well as the care provided to CCS enrollees. This case study captures lessons learned in the establishment and management of the FACs during the early phases of WCM implementation and provides recommendations to help ensure the FACs are effective over time.