There is unprecedented momentum to tackle the mental health crisis affecting our children. The universally felt isolation and suffering caused by the pandemic are helping to strip away the stigma of mental illness. In its place is an energized movement, led by advocates, that is transforming the way California provides mental health services for its most vulnerable children—the majority of whom are black and brown. This movement has captured the attention of state and local policymakers, educators, and children's hospitals, with solutions supported by significant new federal and state resources.
This new laser focus on children’s mental health is the result of a collective effort, with the strategic voice of California Children’s Trust and its partners helping to frame the solutions. While we still have a long way to go, let’s examine the signals of success, assign credit where it will bolster our next strategic move, and continue to tap into the wisdom of youth with lived experience.
State policymakers have introduced twenty-five pieces of state legislation focused on youth mental health. Schools are prioritizing mental health programs as they open their doors to our youngest and most vulnerable students. Major children’s hospitals across the state are alarmed by the escalating crisis, and are educating their funders and boards on how to leverage Medi-Cal funding to build an equitable mental health system. And, state and federal dollars are giving a one-time boost to mental health programs including $15.3 billion in assistance to California’s K-12 schools from the American Rescue Plan; $6.6 billion appropriated by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature to help districts recover from the pandemic’s impact; and $750 million proposed in the Governor’s budget to support student mental health in schools.
And yet the daily news continues to remind us of the urgent need to not only do more but to do better...and to repeat, too many of these investments reflect the diffuse accountability (fragmentation) of our existing system, too few center racism and the social determinants of health, and almost all are time delineated.
This is where perseverance comes in. The momentum and funding will not be sustainable unless we—the California Children’s Trust and our Partners and Allies—continue to lay out a specific and detailed roadmap, based on our Framework for Solutions, for leveraging federal dollars, removing barriers to access, and demanding accountability.
Raise Awareness
School Based Mental Health: AB 586 Moves Forward
- CCT is a co-sponsor of AB 586 to establish pilot projects that will provide in-depth, hands-on technical assistance and support to specified Local Education Areas to allow them to build a sustainable model of delivering school-based health and mental health services. A significant number of organizations and individuals stepped up with support letters, and CCT principal, Alex Briscoe, provided testimony at the April 7 hearing. The bill is now in appropriations, having passed both the committee on education and committee on health with no opposition.
Youth Advocate for Increased School Mental Health Supports
I believe there are two critical things that students need to feel more in control of their own mental health and wellness. First, teachers and students themselves need to have the training and support to really listen to each other and build trusting relationships—in the classroom and embedded in the culture of the school. When we feel secure with our relationships, it lifts the stigma of mental health, and we are in it together. Second, we need programs that educate everyone about mental health and social-emotional wellness. It is something that permeates our lives, and students want to be seen as full people, not just people who are stressed about grades. These types of comprehensive and relationship-building supports take time and investment—they take the commitment that I’m seeing from AB 586.
- Isabel, excerpt from letter of support for AB 586
Check Out and Share This Essential Guide for Education Leaders to Claim Millions of Dollars of Medicaid funding
More than 60% of California’s children in public schools rely on Medi-Cal for their healthcare needs—physical, mental, and social and emotional. The Practical Guide for Financing Social, Emotional and Mental Health in Schools presents 5 models and a step-by-step guide for investing in children’s mental health by leveraging Medicaid.
Take Action
Advocate for CalAIM to Serve the Mental Health Needs of Our Most Vulnerable Children
The CalAIM initiative is moving forward with the important step of DHCS seeking federal approval of the 1115 demonstration amendment and 1915(b) waiver. The 30-day public comment period ends on May 6, 2021. CCT is preparing a guide that you can use to ensure the revised proposal serves children by: 1) removing the diagnosis requirement for receiving services and expanding the provider class, 2) easing and improving claiming of federal dollars, and 3) demanding transparency and accountability.
Join these sessions to advocate:
- DHCS Stakeholder Advisory Committee, register here to join
- DHCS Behavioral Health Stakeholder Advisory Committee, register here to join
- Public hearing and comment details, and meeting registration links are available here.
Join The Conversation
CCT Proposes Solutions for Children’s Hospitals Impacted by Mental Health Crisis
Alex Briscoe, CCT’s principal, has presented to senior leadership and boards at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, to share critical data and a road map for leveraging Medi-Cal as a sustainable path to mitigate the mental health crisis. The slide deck presented to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Board of Advisors provides compelling statistics and proposed solutions to the youth mental health crisis that is playing out in emergency rooms across California.
CCT to Testify at the Little Hoover Commission on April 22
California’s influential independent state oversight agency has invited Alex Briscoe to provide testimony during Part 1 of a three-part series of panels titled “COVID 19 and Children’s Mental Health.” Details to join by zoom or phone.
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