California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
As part of Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is expanding access to school-based and school-linked behavioral health services for students ages 25 and younger. Through this initiative, school districts, including LESD, may now be eligible to receive reimbursement for behavioral health screenings, assessments, and ongoing mental health support provided to students.
What This Means for LESD Families
- No Cost to Families: Families will not be billed for services. The reimbursement comes directly from a family’s existing health insurance, without affecting co-pays, premiums, or deductibles.
- Eligibility for Services: This program does not change the types of services students may receive. Instead, it allows LESD to be reimbursed for behavioral health supports we already provide, such as mental health screenings and assessments.
- Special Education Services: CYBHI does not replace or change services required through IEPs or IFSPs. Students receiving special education services will continue to receive those supports as outlined in their plans.
- Privacy and Consent: To participate, LESD will need to collect students’ health insurance information. This information is used only to verify coverage and eligibility with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), the Department of Insurance (CDI), and the student’s current insurance provider.
- Parents and caregivers will continue to provide consent for any services.
- Students aged 12 and older may be able to independently consent to certain behavioral health services under California law.
Impact on School Services
This fee schedule strengthens our ability to provide school-based behavioral health supports at no added cost to students or families. It does not modify insurance benefits, nor does it introduce co-payments or charges to families. The program is designed to complement existing insurance coverage while expanding school-based access to care.
LESD will continue to keep families informed as implementation progresses and will provide additional information regarding privacy, consent, and service access.