With the effort led by the California Health and Human Services Agency, in partnership with other state departments, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is responsible for expanding training for existing behavioral health professionals and increasing the behavioral health workforce that is culturally and linguistically proficient and capable of providing age-appropriate services to children, youth, and families. California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) intends to transform California’s behavioral health system into an innovative ecosystem where all children and youth from birth to age 25 have access to services for emerging and existing behavioral health needs, regardless of health payer. NIMH also supports non-clinical trial research that aims to develop and evaluate performance feedback systems, decision support tools, and quality improvement projects that optimize the delivery of effective mental health interventions in schools and other non-specialty care settings (PAR , PAR ; US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, 2021c, 2022b).

Collectively, such studies will yield an enhanced empirical foundation of mental health research that can help schools reach their potential as sustained providers of accessible, culturally appropriate evidence-based interventions for youth across the USA. While recent federal investments will provide schools with support to expand access to mental health interventions, additional research is needed to ensure that culturally appropriate, evidence-based interventions are available and have been optimized for implementation in school settings. In summary, optimized school-based mental health interventions and implementation strategies have the potential to address the vast unmet need for effective and accessible youth mental health prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. Resources developed and supported through block grant programs like SAMHSA’s Project AWARE, which provides school districts with funding to build mental health service capacity and develop collaborative partnerships that support the delivery of mental health interventions, represent one example of sustainable infrastructure.

Whether you’re looking for immediate support or simply need a moment to pause, this page is here to meet you where you are. Your go-to destination for tracking progress and accessing resources from the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative – Community Alliances for Local Impact. Explore inspiring grantee highlights, youth-created materials, and the partnerships making a real impact across California. A strong country response fosters social inclusion and connectedness, and addresses structural issues such as housing, education, and employment.

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Out of 27 programs, 12 (see all programs in Table 3, programs 1 and 11 in Table 1, and program 1 in Table 2) call on adolescents to engage actively in advocacy activities to reduce stigma. Service providers should thus include peer support in their services, with an emphasis on training and supervision of support staff to ensure a professional response. Therefore, peer support is a key resource when providing services for adolescents with MHC (51). Out of 27 programs, eight offer peer support by individuals who are close in age to the adolescents and who have also experienced adversity or overcame MHC. Active representation of the programs in the media and on https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2023/call-national-strategy-strengthen-youth-behavioral-health-workforce social networks may allow for direct communication with adolescents (without the mediation of referrals), through an interface available to them in their own language. Both needs can be provided through structured leisure group activities that involve social skills such as art making, the performing arts, music, sports, and workshops to impart various skills for enjoyment and provide relief from stress.

• This collective approach enhances resource availability and creates a supportive environment for youth.
• This program is part of the Youth ERA organization that also provides training to adolescents and young adults to become peer supporters (also termed “peer workforce”) in 39 states across the United States (36).
• The program is funded by the Special Projects Fund of the National Insurance Institute, local authorities, and private funds.
• HCAI opens application cycles for loan repayment, scholarship, and grant programs throughout the course of each year.
• The $4.7 billion investment of state General Funds for the CYBHI will improve access to, and the quality of, BH services for all children and youth in California, regardless of payer.

Efforts focus on promoting social and emotional well-being, preventing behavioral health challenges, and providing equitable, appropriate, timely, and accessible services for emerging and existing BH needs for children and youth ages 0-25. In early 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced an additional 50 million dollars in planning grants to support the development, implementation, and expansion of school-based health services, with a concentration on mental health services (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2024). Care services should be provided through both health (general and community health services) and non-health settings, like schools and youth centres. WHO advocates for a comprehensive response to the mental health needs of children and young people, with a focus on strengthening policies and legislation; promoting enabling environments (in homes, schools, communities, workplaces and digital spaces) and building preventive and care services. Successful youth mental health programs are distinguished by their community involvement, accessibility, and evidence-based approaches.

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Some school officials are frustrated over program delays. A total of 494 school districts, county offices of education and colleges have signed up to participate in the new billing program. Receive program updates and the latest research and insights from our public health experts We’ve already made substantial progress, and together we can create the transformative change we know is possible and make a lasting difference in the health and well-being of all California kids and families. In the year ahead, we look forward to building on the energy and momentum that has been created so far as we move more of our efforts from design into implementation to create a system that youth and families need.

These services support overall physical, emotional, and mental well-being. As we advance this important work, the CYBHI will continue to actively engage with youth, families, and those who support them. View 30-minute videos featuring youth sharing their own mental health journeys complemented by facilitated discussions and classroom modeling for those who work with youth and young adults. Videos about suicide prevention and mental health written and produced by California middle and high school students. Create a larger, more representative workforce supporting the emotional, mental and behavioral health of California’s young people.