August 2026

Thank you for being part of the CIE Network. This month's newsletter highlights key policy updates, new referral pathways, upcoming events, and training opportunities designed to strengthen the work partners do every day. Take a moment to explore what's new and stay connected.

Important Benefit Changes

"Starting July 1, 2027, Medi-Cal will not cover regular dental services for some adults, except emergencies. This is based on their immigration status. The change applies to members ages 19 and older who do not qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal (read question #1) and are not pregnant or within one year postpartum (after pregnancy). If you are under age 26 and were in foster care on your 18th birthday, your dental services will not change.

How change affects you:

If you applied for Medi-Cal before January 1, 2026, you can use your full dental benefits until June 30, 2027. Starting on July 1, 2027, your coverage will be called full-scope Medi-Cal with no dental. If you were enrolled in a Medi-Cal Dental Plan (Dental Managed Care Plan), you will be disenrolled.

If you applied for Medi-Cal on or after January 1, 2026, you will qualify for restricted scope Medi-Cal only. This covers emergencies, including dental-related services, pregnancy-related services, and some nursing home care." (DHCS Webpage)

Access Department of Healthcare Services' frequently asked questions page below:

Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes FAQ

"As of June 1, 2026, the federal government’s rules on CalFresh work and community engagement requirements have changed in California. Some CalFresh recipients must meet certain work requirements to keep their CalFresh benefits.

Find out if you may be required to meet the CalFresh work and community engagement requirements to keep your CalFresh benefits, or whether you may be excused from these new requirements by using the CalFresh Work and Community Engagement Requirements: Pre-Screening Tool." (CDSS Department of Social Services)

How can 211/CIE San Diego Help?

In partnership with the County of San Diego, we created a WorkReady Hub to help you access official guidelines about these changes and find resources the you can use to help meet new work requirement.

Learn More

CIE partners can login to the Partner Community & pre-screen their clients for CalFresh. This allows our partners to add their clients to 211 San Diego's call back list or schedule an appointment with the CalFresh Enrollment team.

Learn about 211 SD CalFresh Enrollment Services

211/CIE Closed-Loop Referral Opportunities

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest has activated 10 new direct referral opportunities to its' Ultrasound Dating for Pregnancy program (10 locations).

What is it? An early ultrasound that can confirm gestational age (current length of pregnancy)

Who is this for? Any individual who is pregnant

Is your agency interested in expanding program reach and impact in San Diego?

Closed-Loop Referrals (direct referrals) ensure individuals are proactively connected to services through a coordinated system where organizations that accept those direct referrals can:

View Information about a client beforehand
Follow-up with the client to confirm eligibility for services
Track interactions and conversations with the client over time

Complete Set-Up Form Here

Training and Network Resources

Book time with the CIE Training Team

Angelica Esparza Bañuelos

CIE Training & Partner Communications Coordinator

Keila Gomez

CIE Program Coordinator

How can we help?

CIE Overview Training: An introductory training session covering the main uses of CIE and navigating the system. Sessions include the consent process, submitting referrals, navigating dashboards & more.

Refresher Training: A shorter session for smaller groups/teams that have experience navigating the CIE system who would like to review specific uses of CIE.

Technical Assistance: Step-by-step guidance with a Partner Engagement team member to help resolve password issues, updating referral outcomes, and general troubleshooting.

Questions? Email us at ciehelpdesk@211sandiego.org

Book time with us & let's talk CIE!

Self-Paced Online Trainings

CIE Partner Network Gathering

Each month, we may dive into the latest technology projects, elicit feedback on the platform’s care coordination tools, or spotlight programs and supports for unique populations. The partner gathering is a space to engage with peers across our shared network.

Next Gathering: August 27, 2026, 9:00 am

CIE Partners

Direct Referrals

Partner Logos

Community Events & Resources

CIE Joins TrueCare at Stakeholders Mixer

CIE's Partner Engagement Director, Zenia Torres and Program Coordinator, Keila Gomez attended TrueCare's Stakeholder Appreciation Mixer in early August.

A sincere 'Thank You' to TrueCare for bringing us into this shared space, for their commitment to high-quality care for San Diegans, and for their continued partnership with 211 San Diego/CIE.