Mental Health Supports

In February 2024, the California Department of Health Care Services released an application for local educational agencies (LEAs) to participate in the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) statewide multi-payer school-linked fee schedule and statewide provider network. CYBHI supports a more coordinated, youth-centered, equitable, prevention-oriented, and accessible system, one in which young people can find the support they need when, where, and in the way they need it most.

The statewide multi-payer school-linked fee schedule is a new way to fund school-based behavioral health services for children and youth in California. It establishes a specific set of behavioral health services and rates at which Medi-Cal and commercial insurance plans are required to reimburse LEAs, public institutions of higher education, and other school-affiliated providers.

Approximately $19 million in grant funding is available for San Diego County LEAs to build capacity to participate in the network.
 

Which LEAs Would Benefit from the Fee Schedule?

All LEAs can benefit from accessing the fee schedule. The fee schedule may be particularly beneficial for LEAs with certain needs or characteristics, which include:

• LEAs with low Medi-Cal eligibility and that currently have few options for reimbursement for student behavioral health services. These are districts with a student population with higher average income or lower free and reduced-price meals eligibility.
• LEAs in communities with few youth behavioral health providers (the fee schedule can create an incentive to increase provider capacity).
• LEAs with existing grant-funded behavioral health programs, as the fee schedule may serve as a source of ongoing funds to maintain services when one-time funding expires.
• LEAs with high rates of mental health needs would benefit from the broader services covered under the fee schedule like group therapy and psychoeducation.
• LEAs that currently do not seek reimbursement from Local Educational Agency Medi-Cal Billing Option Program for behavioral health services would significantly benefit from the fee schedule as a way to expand services for students.
   

What Are the Options?

SDCOE is currently exploring these LEA options for participating in the capacity grant.

More Information and For Support

Review the Essential Program Components for more detailed information on the Multi-Payer School Linked Fee Schedule and the School-Linked Partnership and Capacity Grant.

SDCOE will be holding virtual Capacity Grant Information Sessions where you can ask questions about the funding guidance. Registration is not necessary.

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AB 748 requires each school site serving students in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, to create a poster that identifies approaches and shares resources regarding student mental health.

The poster must be prominently and conspicuously displayed in appropriate public areas that are accessible to, and commonly frequented by, students at each school site.

SDCOE partnered with young people in the county to create three template posters that districts can use as an option.

• 988 (24/7)

TDD/TTY Dial 711-988

If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor who can help. Available in multiple languages.

• Crisis Text Line "HOME" to 741741 (24/7)

Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, by providing access to free support.

• San Diego Access and Crisis Line 888-724-7240 (24/7)

TDD/TTY Dial 711

Call or Live chat if you or someone you care about is experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis and needs immediate help. Trained and experienced counselors are available. The call is free and confidential.  Available in multiple languages.

• The California Peer-Run Warm Line 855-845-7415

This is a free, non-emergency resource available to anyone in need of emotional support in the state of CA. Support is available via phone, texting or through an online chat.

Additional Resources

• Brain XP is dedicated to ending the stigma toward other teenagers who suffer from mental health issues. Brain XP also has positive daily social media content: Brain XP Blog and Brain XP Instagram (@brainxpproject). All of our content is created by teens for other teens, and all of our resources can be accessed online.
• Help A Friend In Need (PDF)
• Mental Health Thrival Kit (PDF)
• NAMI Child and Adolescent Action Center
• Seize the Awkward

• Alliance for Healthier Generation
• Back to School - Mental Health America
• Helpguide.org
• Mental Health Tips During the Holidays (PDF)
• The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement

County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services, Children, Youth and Families:

• How to Access Behavioral Health Services for Youth in San Diego County (PDF)
• SchooLink Service Structure (County-Funded Behavioral Health Services) (PDF)
• San Diego County, Behavioral Health Services, Regional Schools and Providers

Lunch and Learn Webinars

The San Diego County Office of Education Student Wellness and School Culture Department and the Transforming Mental Health Initiative at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego is offering the third annual Mental Health Webinar Series for educators and school staff to support student mental health and wellness.

2023

• Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today (Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Todayrecording / Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today slides)
• What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders (What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders recording / What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders slides)
• Forming Stronger Relationships with Students and the School Community (Forming Stronger Relationships with Students and the School Community recording / Forming Stronger Relationships with Students and the School Community slides)
• The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health (The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health recording / The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health slides)

2022

• Effective Stress Reduction Strategies to Help Prevent and Manage Burnout (Effective Stress Reduction Strategies to Help Prevent and Manage Burnout recording / Effective Stress Reduction Strategies to Help Prevent and Manage Burnout slides)
• Managing Stress and Building Resiliency-Improving Coping during the Pandemic (Managing Stress and Building Resiliency-Improving Coping during the Pandemic recording / Managing Stress and Building Resiliency-Improving Coping during the Pandemic slides)
• Cultivating Connection: Stepping Stones for Building Healthy Relationships and Trust in the Classroom (Cultivating Connection recording / Cultivating Connection slides)
• Fostering Student Success: Helping Students Manage Stress and Anxiety (Fostering Student Success recording /Fostering Student Success slides)
• Creating an Inclusive Environment for All (Creating an Inclusive Environment for All recording / Creating an Inclusive Environment for All slides)
• A Deeper Look at Depression (A Deeper Look at Depression recording / A Deeper Look at Depression slides)

National Parent Helpline

Call the National Parent Helpline: 1-855-4A PARENT (1-855-427-2736) to get emotional support from a trained Advocate and become empowered and a stronger parent. They are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

SDCOE Caregiver Wellness offers information on recognizing signs of stress, engaging in joyful activities, taking a self-compassion break, and creating a web of support.

2024 Mental Health Webinar Series for Parents / Caregivers

The Supporting Our Youth mental health webinar series for parents and caregivers will provide information on the most common mental health challenges faced by youth today. It is offered through a partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education and medical professionals with the Transforming Mental Health Initiative at Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego. Register for each session to receive the link to join. Spanish interpretation will be available during each session.

2023 Mental Health Webinar Series for Parents / Caregivers

The Parent / Caregiver Mental Health Webinar Series is brought to you by the San Diego County Office of Education, Student Wellness and School Culture; Scripps Health; and the Transforming Mental Health Initiative at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego.

• What You Need To Know About Eating Disorders (What You Need To Know About Eating Disorders recording /What You Need To Know About Eating Disorders slides)
• The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health (The Real Deal recording / The Real Deal slides)
• Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today (Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today recording / Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today slides)

​Senate Bill (SB) 98 is an education omnibus trailer bill to the 2020 Budget Act which was signed into law on June 29, 2020. SB 98 adds Education Code section 43509 and one of several provisions contained in SB 98 requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to adopt a learning continuity and attendance plan that addresses each school within the LEA. This plan, among other things, must include the following:

• A description of how the LEA will monitor and support the mental health and social and emotional well-being of pupils and staff during the school year.
• The description may include any professional development and resources that will be provided to pupils and staff to address trauma and other impacts of COVID-19 on the school community.

Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Staff

• Toolkit for School Systems to Advance Comprehensive School Employee Wellness
• Wellness Tools
• Workplace Mental Health and Wellness

View a variety of mental health resources — created by San Diego County teens for teens — and information on youth-led mental health coalitions.

Coping with Anxiety

Teen-created mental health card

High school students created a pocket card for peers that includes a grounding strategy and mental health resources.

Download Anxiety Card