Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)

CYBHI: New resource to support students and staff

The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is part of the Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, a historic investment by the State of California that takes a “whole child” approach to address the factors that contribute to the mental health and well-being of our children and youth. CYBHI is a collaboration between multiple California State departments to expand access to school-based mental and behavioral health services for students by providing a way for school districts in our state to be reimbursed for these costs. Examples of the these reimbursable include screening, assessments, and ongoing mental health support provided to our students. This reimbursement will come directly from the insurance companies such as Medi-cal Managed Care Plans or Fee For Service, commercial health, as well as disability insurance that cover the students, at no cost to the parents or caregivers. This program will not affect families’ insurance coverage, and receiving services at school will not reduce or impact students or their family's ability to obtain care outside of school. With your participation, CYBHI will allow Rowland Unified to receive reimbursements for eligible behavioral health services already being provided in school.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CYBHI

How does it work?

The State of California partners with schools and health plans to make sure that students can get mental health and emotional wellbeing support in schools across the state. Schools already offer an array of mental health services to meet the needs of students; however, securing funding for these services can be a challenge. Under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule program, California’s health plans and insurers are now required to reimburse public schools (including K-12 school districts, colleges, and universities) for covered mental health services provided to students under the age of 26. State law prohibits health plans and insurers from passing any of the cost of these services on to families. This means that the health plans and insurers will pay for mental health services provided to your child in a school-linked setting and there WILL NOT be any out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., co-payments, deductibles) for you and your family.

Why do I need to provide my child's health insurance information?

In order to obtain this funding from the health plans and insurers such as Medi-Cal Manage Care Plans or Fee for Service, commercial health plans, or disability insurers, your child’s school district must submit a claim for reimbursement to the health plan or insurer. Your child’s school may ask you for your health insurance information and/or may ask you to sign a consent form so they can bill the health plan.
If your child is under 18, please sign the consent form and provide a copy of your child’s insurance card and/or the name of your child’s health insurance company, your child’s policy number, and the name of the parent or guardian that carries the health insurance coverage. Agreeing to provide this information to your child’s school
WILL NOT result in any costs for services being passed onto you or your family. These services are completely free and receiving these services in school WILL NOT affect your child’s coverage under the health plan or insurer.

You can provide consent through online enrollment, data confirmation, or by completing the Insurance Collection Form below and submitting it to your child's school or to [email protected].

Privacy and Consent- Will the information be kept confidential?

Yes, the information that you provide to your child’s school, including health insurance information, is completely confidential. You and your child are entitled to privacy, confidentiality, and protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of students’ education records, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that provides the privacy and security of health information. Your child’s health insurance information will not be shared with any outside entities, except as necessary to enable you or your child’s school district, college, or university to receive reimbursement for mental health services provided to your child and/or family, or as otherwise permitted under state and federal law (e.g., reporting to the California Department of Health Care Services).

Where can I learn more about CYBHI?

Please click below for more information about CYBHI and available resources:

Contacts:

Annette Ramirez

Director of Community Schools, CYBHI & Grant Writing

(626) 965-2541

Maribel Del Muro

Medi-Cal Billing Program Specialist

(626) 854-2228

[email protected]