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AB 2486

Medi-Cal: Whole Child Model program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis

Extends governance of the Whole Child Model by renaming and expanding the CCS advisory group, and strengthens monitoring, reporting, and independent evaluation of CCS services with

In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
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Bill Summary · AB 2486

Summary of AB 2486 (2025-2026) – Medi-Cal: Whole Child Model program

This bill amends Welfare and Institutions Code provisions governing the Whole Child Model (WCM) program and the California Children’s Services (CCS) framework to extend governance, rename a stakeholder body, broaden participation, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation of CCS-related services within Medi-Cal managed care.

Purpose and intent

  • Clarify and strengthen oversight, reporting, and accountability for the integration of CCS services into Medi-Cal managed care through the Whole Child Model.
  • Extend the duration and rename the statewide stakeholder advisory group to better reflect CCS interests and ensure ongoing input through CCS-specific structures.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Extension and renaming of advisory group

    • Extends the operation of the statewide Whole Child Model program stakeholder advisory group to December 31, 2029 (previously sunset date December 31, 2026).
    • Renames the group to the California Children’s Services (CCS) advisory group.
    • Expands the advisory group composition to include:
      • CCS clients not enrolled in a managed care plan (current and former CCS clients and their caregivers)
      • Former CCS clients
      • Caregivers of former CCS clients
      • Representatives from CCS providers, counties, health plans, family resource centers, regional centers, CCS case managers, CCS medical therapy units, and family advisory groups
    • Requires the department to consult the CCS advisory group on implementing both the Whole Child Model and the CCS Classic program and to consider its recommendations for monitoring and outcome measures.

  2. Reporting and monitoring

    • Beginning no later than December 31, 2027, the department must biennially deliver a summary report to the Legislature describing progress on CCS-related measures and actions, with input from the CCS advisory group.
    • The department must develop robust monitoring dashboards and ensure annual reporting of CCS-specific data to track compliance and performance.

  3. Administrative and programmatic updates

    • Requires the department to consult with the renamed CCS advisory group on monitoring processes and on the CCS Classic program, incorporating member recommendations into evaluation criteria.
    • Contains conforming edits to reflect the renamed advisory group in the CCS governance structure.

  4. Evaluation and data requirements (Section 14094.18)

    • Continuation and enhancement of an independent program evaluation to assess Medi-Cal managed care plan performance and CCS-eligible youth experiences within the Whole Child Model.
    • Evaluation scope includes access to CCS services, in-network vs out-of-network care, utilization across services, patient/family satisfaction, appeals and grievances, provider networks, and continuity of care as youth age out.
    • Requires comparison of Whole Child Model outcomes to the CCS program pre- and post-implementation, and assessment in counties where CCS services are not incorporated into managed care.

Who is affected

  • CCS-eligible children and youth enrolled in or transitioning to Medi-Cal managed care under the Whole Child Model.
  • CCS families, caregivers, and providers (including primary/specialty care, therapy, and hospitals).
  • County CCS programs, health plans participating in the Whole Child Model, CCS case managers, and related provider networks.
  • Legislature and state oversight entities receiving biennial progress reports.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • The advisory group sunset is extended to 2029, with ongoing consultation and reporting requirements beginning as specified above.
  • Biennial legislative reports begin no later than December 31, 2027.
  • Evaluation findings due to the Legislature as part of the broader CCS/WCM evaluation framework.

Overall, AB 2486 strengthens stakeholder involvement, extends governance, enhances monitoring, and ensures rigorous evaluation of CCS services within Medi-Cal’s Whole Child Model.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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