Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)

CYBHI: New resource to support students and staff

The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is part of the Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, a historic investment by the State of California that takes a “whole child” approach to address the factors that contribute to the mental health and well-being of our children and youth. CYBHI is a collaboration between multiple California State departments to expand access to school-based mental and behavioral health services for students by providing a way for school districts in our state to be reimbursed for these costs. Examples of these reimbursable services include screenings, assessments, and ongoing mental health support that we provide to our students.

The money for the reimbursement comes directly from the insurance companies that families are already using to insure their children, at no additional cost to the parents or caregivers. This program will not affect families' insurance coverage, and receiving services at school will not reduce or impact students or their family's ability to obtain care outside of school.

Your participation is KEY as we launch this program in our schools.

Parents/guardians will be asked for their student's health insurance information. We must have this information in order to file reimbursement claims for the services we provide. All health information will be securely stored and only shared in alignment with existing federal and state privacy laws.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CYBHI

How does it work?

The State of California partners with schools and health plans to make sure that students can get mental health and emotional well-being support in schools across the state. Schools already offer an array of mental health services to meet the needs of students; however, securing funding for these services can be a challenge. Under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule program, California’s health plans and insurers are now required to reimburse public schools (including K-12 school districts, colleges, and universities) for covered mental health services provided to students under the age of 26. State law prohibits health plans and insurers from passing any of the cost of these services on to families. This means that the health plans and insurers will pay for mental health services provided to your child in a school-linked setting and there WILL NOT be any out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., co-payments, deductibles) for you and your family.

Will the CYBHI fee schedule change the services my student receives?

This program is not intended to significantly change the way your student currently receives behavioral health services - rather, it is a way for our school to be reimbursed for the provision of behavioral health services, thus giving us a sustainable source of funding for these services. Examples of eligible services include behavioral health screenings, assessments, and ongoing mental health supports. The CYBHI fee schedule may not apply to students on certain insurance plans (e.g., self insured plans, high-deductible health plans). Services will be provided to students regardless of if they have insurance that will provide reimbursement through the CYBHI fee schedule.

How does this relate to students receiving special education services?

Services required through an IEP are not reimbursable through the CYBHI fee schedule. However, this program may provide reimbursement for behavioral or mental health services that students receive outside of their IEP.

Why do I need to provide my child's health insurance information?

In order to obtain this funding from the health plans and insurers such as Medi-Cal, Manage Care Plans or Fee for Service, commercial health plans, or disability insurers, your child’s school district must submit a claim for reimbursement to the health plan or insurer. Your child’s school may ask you for your health insurance information and/or may ask you to sign a consent form so they can bill the health plan.

Can I choose which behavioral health services my student receives?

Parents and caregivers will continue to have the same process for consenting for services or allowing their student's information to be shared. Note: minors aged 12 years or older in California may be able to independently consent for certain services.

Privacy and Consent- Will the information be kept confidential?

Yes, the information that you provide to your child’s school, including health insurance information, is completely confidential. You and your child are entitled to privacy, confidentiality, and protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of students’ education records, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that provides the privacy and security of health information. Your child’s health insurance information will not be shared with any outside entities, except as necessary to enable you or your child’s school district, college, or university to receive reimbursement for mental health services provided to your child and/or family, or as otherwise permitted under state and federal law (e.g., reporting to the California Department of Health Care Services).

If your child is under 18, please sign the consent form and provide a copy of your child’s insurance card and/or the name of your child’s health insurance company, your child’s policy number, and the name of the parent or guardian that carries the health insurance coverage. Agreeing to provide this information to your child’s school WILL NOT result in any costs for services being passed onto you or your family. These services are completely free and receiving these services in school WILL NOT affect your child’s coverage under the health plan or insurer.

You can provide consent through online enrollment or by completing the Insurance Collection Form below and submitting it to your child's school Guidance Office or directly to your school's Social Worker.

School	Social Workers Email	Extension Number
California High School	Monica Cervantes	Ext. 3702
Frontier High School	Tania Lopez	Ext. 1209
La Serna High School	Dr. Alexandra Harris	Ext. 6120
Pioneer High School	Karen Hernandez	Ext. 5059
Santa Fe High School	Sofia Hernandez	Ext. 4070
Sierra Vista High School	Amy Larson	Ext. 1349
Whittier High School	Velma Raza	Ext. 2029

Where can I learn more about CYBHI?

Please click below for more information about CYBHI and available resources:

Should you have any questions about the program, please contact one of our District Social Workers:

Maria Granados 562-698-8121 ext. 1187

Theresa Cronin 562-698-8121 ext. 1189