CA Children and Youth Behavioral Health Intiative
Free School-Based Mental Health Services for Students
California public schools offer free mental health and emotional well-being support to students. Under California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule program, health plans and insurance companies are required to reimburse public schools for these essential services. Check out our InfoGraphic on how this supports WCSD!
Key Benefits for Your Family
- 100% Free Services: You will never pay co-payments, deductibles, or any out-of-pocket expenses
- No Impact on Insurance: Receiving mental health support at school will not affect your child’s health insurance coverage
- Help Fund Your School: When you share your insurance information, your school can claim reimbursement from health plans to help sustain these programs
How the Program Works
- The State of California partners with public school districts, colleges, and universities to ensure students under the age of 26 can access mental health care directly through school-linked settings.
- While schools already offer mental health support, securing funding can be challenging. State law requires health insurance plans – including Medi-Cal – to pay public schools for covered mental health services provided to students. State law prohibits health plans from passing any of these costs onto families.
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To receive reimbursement from health plans, your child’s school must submit claims to health plans or insurers. To do this, the school needs your consent and basic health insurance information.
What you need to provide (if your child is under 18):
- Signed Consent Form: Grants permission for the school to bill the health plan
- Insurance Information: A copy of your child’s insurance card or the name of the health insurance company
- Policy Details: Your child’s policy number
- Policyholder Name: The name of the parent or guardian carrying the health insurance coverage
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Your family’s privacy is fully protected under federal law:
- Strict Confidentiality: The information you provide remains confidential
- Legal Protections: Student records and health information are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Restricted Use: Your child’s health insurance details are not shared with outside entitites, except as necessary to allow the school to receive reimbursement or as required by state and federal law
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What if I choose not to provide my insurance information?
Your child can still receive no-cost mental health support at school. However, without insurance details, the school cannot access reimbursement funding from health plans.
Will this affect special education services (IEP or IFSP)?
No. If your child receives special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), providing or withholding insurance information will not affect their eligibility for mental health services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
Are there any hidden costs?
No. California law prohibits health plans from charging families co-payments, deductibles, or any other out-of-pocket fees.
More questions? See our FAQ document.
Questions & Contact Information
Questions & Contact Information
School Support: Contact your child’s school site administrator or school district office with any questions about providing insurance information
Email Support:
Corey Cohen, Wellness Coordinator – ccohen@walnutcreeksd.org
Renee Nickerson, Program Specialist – rnickerson@walnutcreeksd.org
Program Website: Learn more on the Department of Health Care Services CYBHI Program Page
Need Health Coverage? If your family needs health insurance, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal