Dr. Deneen Guss, County Superintendent of Schools
Children Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
What is CYBHI?
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a statewide California initiative that is transforming the way children, youth, and families access behavioral health services. Its goal is to ensure that every child and youth has equitable access to timely, high-quality behavioral health services that support their mental health and well-being.
CYBHI brings together schools, healthcare providers, managed care plans, counties, and community organizations to create a coordinated system of care. By expanding prevention, early intervention, and treatment services, CYBHI helps students receive the support they need to be healthy, succeed in school, and thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.
Through these partnerships, families may have the opportunity to access behavioral health services at their child's school if they choose to participate and provide the necessary consent. Receiving services in a familiar school setting can reduce barriers to care and make it easier for students to receive support.
CYBHI also helps strengthen school-based behavioral health programs by allowing participating school districts to receive reimbursement for eligible behavioral health services provided to students. This funding helps schools expand access to care, sustain critical services, and invest in the resources needed to support student mental health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services are available through CYBHI Program?
Services can include assessments and screenings, individual and/ or group counseling, care coordination and case management.
What information will the school ask me to provide?
To participate in the CYBHI Fee Schedule Program, your child's school will request:
- Complete a consent form.
- Provide your child's health insurance information.
- Update your contact information if needed.
This information allows the school to seek reimbursement for eligible services while continuing to provide behavioral health support to students.
Why is the school asking for my insurance information?
Schools are now able to receive reimbursement from health plans for eligible behavioral health services they already provide. This reimbursement helps schools expand and sustain behavioral health services while ensuring families do not incur any out-of-pocket costs.
Will I have to pay anything?
No. There are no co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs for families for eligible services provided through the CYBHI Fee Schedule Program.
Will using my insurance affect my benefits?
No. Participating in the CYBHI Fee Schedule Program will not reduce your behavioral health benefits, increase your insurance premiums, or affect your child's ability to receive behavioral health services outside of school.
What if my family does not have health insurance?
Students can continue to receive behavioral health services even if they do not have health insurance. Lack of insurance will not prevent a student from accessing available school-based supports.
What if I choose not to provide my insurance information?
Providing insurance information helps schools receive reimbursement that can be reinvested into student behavioral health services. However, choosing not to provide insurance information will not prevent your child from receiving available behavioral health services at school
How is my family's information protected?
Your family's privacy is important. Information collected through the CYBHI Fee Schedule Program is protected by federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), when applicable. Information is only used for authorized purposes, such as coordinating care and processing reimbursement.
Need More Information?
Please visit the California Health and Human Services Agency website.