The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a five-year, $4.6 billion statewide initiative designed to expand behavioral health support for children, youth, and families in California schools. The initiative provides funding and guidance to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) through two key programs:

CYBHI School-Linked Partnership and Capacity Grants

• One-time grant funding to build the necessary infrastructure, expand provider capacity, and develop partnerships in preparation for implementing the CYBHI Fee Schedule.
• The following districts are engaged in this grant activity in Ventura County: Conejo Valley Unified School District, Fillmore Unified School District, Mupu School District, Pleasant Valley School District, Rio School District and Santa Paula Unified School District Ventura Unified School District.

CYBHI Fee Schedule

•  A statewide reimbursement model that allows LEAs to bill for school-based behavioral health services and receive ongoing funding for eligible services.
• All districts, including charters, are able to participate.

🔹 Key Difference: The Capacity Grants provide one-time funding to help schools prepare, while the Fee Schedule offers ongoing reimbursement for behavioral health services.

CYBHI Fee Schedule

What Is the CYBHI Fee Schedule?

The CYBHI Fee Schedule is a state-funded reimbursement model that allows LEAs to bill for behavioral health services provided in schools. Unlike the Capacity Grants, which provide one-time funding, the Fee Schedule ensures sustainable, ongoing financial support for behavioral health services.

Reimbursement Process-click here for a video explaining the reimbursement process

• LEAs provide eligible behavioral health services to students.
• LEAs submit claims using approved provider types and billing codes.
• Reimbursements are processed following state guidelines.

You can also access further information via these flyers from DHCS:

DHCS Flyer English

DHCS Flyer Spanish

Fee Schedule Workgroup Meetings

Fee Schedule Workgroup: This workgroup advances the efforts of school districts in Ventura County to gain revenue for the delivery of the mental health services in school, It also supports the development and use of an inter-connected framework of support for youth and families.  These meetings provide a forum to ask questions, clarify program requirements, and receive the latest policy updates. Attendance is open to district and school leaders who are interested in advancing work within the CYBHI Fee Schedule.

Why Attend?

✔ Stay informed about Capacity Grant requirements and updates
✔ Get answers to common LEA billing and implementation questions
✔ Learn best practices from other LEAs implementing behavioral health services

• If you have questions about the Fee Schedule Workgroup or would like to register, please register here: http://vcoe.k12oms.org/1616-266043.

Resources for Work within the Fee Schedule

Communications Toolkit

VCOE has developed a resource for use by educators in communicating with families about this new program. The resource has examples of communication from the district and school level, as well as suggested language for use when communicating with a parent/caregiver who might have a question/concern about the program.

Click here to access the toolkit: Communication toolkit

VCOE has also partnered with Rio School District to create a set of informational videos in English, Spanish and Mixteco. These short videos address questions/concerns in a brief dialogue suitable for sharing with families. Please refer to the “For Families” section to locate those videos.

Navigating HIPAA and FERPA for Integrated School Behavioral Health Services

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released a new toolkit to support LEAs and their partners in understanding how student privacy laws apply when coordinating behavioral health services in schools.

The Navigating HIPAA and FERPA Toolkit explains how these laws interact in different service models, using real-world scenarios, practical tools, and guidance for building clear policies around information-sharing and confidentiality.

This resource is intended for school staff, behavioral health providers, and others working together to support student wellness across systems.

Resources for CYBHI Fee Schedule

Provider Types & Billing Codes

[Download the List of Provider Types & Codes]

 What’s Included?

• List of approved provider types eligible for reimbursement
   
• Service codes required for billing under the Fee Schedule
   

National Provider Identifier (NPI) Guides

1. LEA Organizational NPI Guide

Each LEA must obtain an NPI before billing under the CYBHI Fee Schedule. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for applying for an Organizational NPI and ensuring compliance.

[Download the LEA NPI Guide]

2. Individual Practitioner NPI Guide

All licensed and unlicensed behavioral health providers working under an LEA must have their own NPI number. This guide explains how individual practitioners can apply for or update their NPI before the LEA begins billing.

 [Download the Practitioner NPI Guide]

PAVE Guide for ORP (Ordering, Referring, Prescribing) Providers

In order for staff members who do not hold a professional license to provide services and submit claims under the CYBHI Fee Schedule, each LEA must have at least one licensed professional enrolled as an Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (ORP) provider in the PAVE system.

Why is an ORP Provider Required?

✔ A licensed ORP provider (such as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or other eligible professional) must be enrolled in PAVE to authorize services provided by unlicensed staff.
✔ Once an LEA has an ORP-enrolled licensed provider, their non-licensed staff (such as Wellness Coaches) can deliver services and submit claims for reimbursement.

 [Download the PAVE ORP Guide]

Wellness Coach Guide

The Wellness Coach Guide explains how non-licensed professionals can provide preventive and early intervention mental health support in schools under the Fee Schedule.

 [Download the Wellness Coach Guide]

Board of Behavioral Sciences

The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) oversees the licensing of behavioral health providers in California. Service providers submitting claims as licensed or registered social workers, marriage and family therapists, or professional clinical counselors must comply with BBS requirements and guidelines, including clinical supervision requirements for unlicensed/registered providers.  Information regarding BBS requirements can be found on the Board of Behavioral Sciences website.