County Behavioral Health Plans (BHPs) unable to meet the Community Transition Team practitioner type requirements for occupational therapists may request a twelve-month exemption, from the effective date specified in their BHP Readiness Assessment, by submission of a description of facts and circumstance as evidence that the proposed exemption is appropriate, and a plan that describes how the BHP will work to resolve the workforce shortage. BHPs may request renewal exemptions on an annual basis.

For further information on program requirements, please refer to [linked BHIN], which includes references to the Special Terms and Conditions (STCs) and existing authorities. 

Find more information about BH-CONNECT on the DHCS website. Reach out to BH-CONNECT@dhcs.ca.gov if you have any questions.
Section 1: Background information 

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* 1. BHP Name

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* 2. Name of Individual Completing Occupational Therapist Exemption Request

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* 3. Title/Role of Individual in Completing Occupational Therapist Exemption Request

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* 4. Email Address

Section 2: Occupational Therapist Exemption Plan 

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* 5. Please describe the workforce shortage of qualified occupational therapists which impedes the BHP’s ability to meet the team composition requirement as described in BHIN 25-041. [250 word limit]

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* 6. Please describe the BHP’s plan to expand the availability of occupational therapists in the licensed mental health professional provider network. [250 word limit]

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* 7. Please describe how the BHP will ensure Community Transition Teams in the county can perform their required functions without an occupational therapist. [250 word limit]

Please note DHCS may request supporting documentation such as evidence of contracting efforts or resources used to attempt to locate additional occupational therapist providers.

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