July 2026 Genral Meeting - ACBHD's New Integrated Helpline

We will have three speakers present on information about ACBHD's plans for a new single helpline to provide both mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) information, screening, and referral in one phone number. The helpline is expected to launch in October 2026. This meeting is a follow-up of their August 2025 presentation on ACBHD’s plans to launch a one system-wide point of access for MH, SUD, and co-occurring MH/SUD needs. There will be a public Q&A at the end of this meeting.

 Charles Edwards, LCSW is the ACCESS (Acute Crisis Care and Evaluation for Systemwide Services) Director at ACBHD, where he oversees the screening and referral process for Medi-Cal beneficiaries seeking behavioral 

health services. He has previous experience providing community-based mental health treatments to Transition Age Youth & families. He previously worked at the Alameda County Social Services Agency in the Public Guardian’s Office, as well as Adult Protective Services. 

Kevin Wu, MPH, EMBA is a consultant specializing in behavioral health, public health, and healthcare system improvement. His expertise includes stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, quality improvement, and change management. He has worked with government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to design, implement, and evaluate programs that improve access and strengthen services for the 

communities they serve. 

Stacey Smith, MBA helps nonprofit, government, and social impact organizations to successfully navigate growth and change while staying true to the heart of their missions. She specializes in governance, strategy/strategic planning, change management, and stakeholder engagement. Stacey is an independent consultant serving as part of the Indigo Project team.