The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is one of the most ambitious statewide efforts to support the mental health and well-being of young people. What makes CYBHI unique is that it’s designed with youth and families at the center, focused on meeting real needs, in familiar spaces, and in ways that truly work for them.

Here in Ventura County, the County Office of Education (VCOE) is proud to be part of this transformative initiative. We’re working closely with schools, colleges, and community organizations to ensure that students have access to the mental health and substance use services they need, whether they’re in a classroom, on a campus, or in another learning environment.

Our goal is to make sure everyone, students, families, educators, school leaders, and community partners has the information and support they need to understand how CYBHI works and how it can benefit them. By staying informed and connected, we can work together to build stronger, more responsive systems of care for our youth.

One of the most promising elements of CYBHI is the introduction of the Fee Schedule, a new funding mechanism that helps schools and partners access sustainable resources to deliver behavioral health services. With this tool, districts can expand and strengthen the supports that make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

To learn more about how the Fee Schedule can benefit your school community, visit the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Fee Schedule page on the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website.

For more information on Families, click here.

For more information on Educators, click here.

Glossary:

• School-linked Capacity Grant – A funding program under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) designed to enhance mental health infrastructure in schools. These grants help Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) build capacity by funding staff training, mental health services, and partnerships with behavioral health providers. The goal is to increase access to behavioral health services for students by integrating school-based or school-linked mental health supports.
• LEA (Local Educational Agencies) -Refers to public school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education responsible for delivering educational and student support services.
• CYBHI – (Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative) – statewide California initiative aimed at expanding access to behavioral health services for children and youth (ages 0-25). Funded through California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), it seeks to integrate behavioral health into schools, improve provider networks, and modernize mental health service delivery. The initiative includes programs like fee-for-service reimbursements, school-linked capacity grants, and workforce development to address youth mental health needs.
• School-Linked Multi Payer Fee Schedule -A predetermined list of services and reimbursement rates that outlines how mental health and behavioral services will be billed and paid under CYBHI. Establishes standardized payment rates for providers delivering services to children and youth, ensuring consistent and transparent billing practices. Covers services such as mental health screenings, therapy, crisis intervention, and provider consultations, aligning with Medi-Cal and other state funding sources.
• Consortium – A collaborative group of LEAs that are working together to implement and manage behavioral health services under CYBHI. A consortium model helps expand access, streamline administrative processes, and improve service quality by leveraging shared resources and expertise.