Community Engagement Research Case Study — California Commission for Behavioral Health
Turning community feedback into actionable insight
How it started
The California Commission for Behavioral Health issued an RFP for focus groups to better understand how stakeholders were experiencing the Community Planning Process (CPP) under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA).
The challenge? Focus groups are great for understanding why people think what they think, but not necessarily how widespread those perspectives are.
Program 11 proposed a different approach: start with a statewide survey to establish a representative foundation, then use those findings to recruit and conduct focus groups that could explore the most important questions in greater depth.
By combining quantitative and qualitative research, we were able to hear not just from the loudest voices, but from the populations that mattered most. The result was both breadth and depth, giving the Commission insights they could act on with confidence.
What we did
We first designed and fielded a statewide survey that gathered feedback from more than 300 stakeholders, including community members, providers and community-based organizations, county staff, behavioral health board members, and state-level participants. The survey helped identify the biggest opportunities and challenges within the Community Planning Process.
Using those findings as a foundation, we then recruited and moderated 12 virtual focus groups with 60+ participants from across California. Because recruitment was informed by the survey, the focus groups were able to capture a broader range of experiences and perspectives than a traditional stand-alone qualitative effort.
After completing the groups, we analyzed themes independently before comparing them back to the survey data, allowing us to identify where findings aligned and where qualitative insights added important context.
The a-ha moment: The survey suggested participation was relatively strong. The focus groups revealed a deeper issue. Stakeholders generally felt they had opportunities to participate, but many were far less certain their input influenced decisions. The conversation shifted from "Are people participating?" to "Do people believe their participation matters?"
How it’s going
The Commission now has both quantitative and qualitative evidence about how stakeholders experience the Community Planning Process, along with a clearer picture of where improvements could have the greatest impact.
The research identified opportunities to strengthen transparency around how feedback is used, increase awareness of existing resources, simplify complex information, and expand outreach to communities that are often underrepresented in planning efforts.
Just as importantly, the work surfaced examples of counties already doing this well. Early engagement, trusted community partnerships, and tailored outreach approaches consistently emerged as practices associated with stronger participation and trust.
Our goal was never simply to conduct focus groups. It was to help the Commission move beyond anecdotes and understand, at a statewide level, what meaningful community engagement looks like and where it can be strengthened in the future.
