Strengthening EHR Readiness for a County Behavioral Health Department

A California county behavioral health system was preparing for a major transition to the CalMHSA Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform and needed support to manage limited internal capacity, competing priorities, and the need for coordinated decision‑making across county leadership and community‑based providers. Working in partnership with Seek Consulting, Paula served as a strategic advisor, helping a county behavioral health department bring structure, clarity, and momentum to a fast‑moving initiative.

Key contributions included:

• Managing vendor engagement with CalMHSA, including scope definition, pricing review, and contract alignment

• Identifying ROI opportunities and applying a time‑to‑value model to guide leadership prioritization

• Establishing governance and decision pathways to support confident executive action

• Coordinating cross‑agency communication to ensure consistent, actionable information for county staff and contracted providers

• Clarifying workflows and operational impacts, helping teams understand what would change and what would remain stable

• Developing board‑ready materials, including the contract approval packet

• Supporting readiness planning, including timelines, training expectations, and provider engagement strategies

This work resulted in a clear, unified path forward, a fully prepared Board of Supervisors packet, and strong alignment across departments and providers. The County entered implementation with greater confidence, clarity, and a stronger foundation for long‑term success.