9 Steps for School Districts to Prepare for CYBHI
With the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), California is making a historic $4 billion investment to expand mental health support for students. This is an incredible opportunity for school districts to strengthen services and access much-needed funding.
Nevertheless, like any new initiative, there are many aspects to consider! To facilitate a smoother transition, here are nine essential recommendations to ensure your district is well-prepared to fully benefit from CYBHI.
1. Make Time for CYBHI Office Hours
If you haven’t already, attending CYBHI office hours is a great way to get up to speed. These sessions can be overwhelming due to the amount of information provided, so it’s important to take detailed notes and seek clarification on any uncertainties.
2. Evaluate Your Vendor and System Needs
A good question to ask: Does your district’s existing LEA BOP system support CYBHI, or will you need a vendor? If you’re unsure, now’s the time to explore options to ensure a seamless integration.
3. Prepare for Staff Questions
New processes always come with questions! Mental health professionals, school staff, and administrators will likely need clarity on how CYBHI impacts their work. Creating a space for open discussions can ease concerns and build confidence.
4. Get a Head Start on Paperwork
Like any funding initiative, paperwork is part of the process. If you haven’t already, your district will need to complete forms like the Data Use Agreement (DUA) and Provider Participation Agreement (PPA) to get started.
5. Keep Your Board & Cabinet Members in the Loop
Your board will need a clear understanding of CYBHI’s impact and benefits. Keeping explanations straightforward and highlighting how this funding supports students will go a long way in gaining their full support.
6. Register All Internal & External Providers
Whether mental health services are provided in-house or through external partners, all providers need to be officially registered for CYBHI participation. Ensuring this step is completed early will help avoid delays down the line.
7. Communicate with Parents & Update SIS
Since CYBHI involves student health data, parents will need to be informed and engaged. Collecting student insurance information and making sure it’s updated in the Student Information System (SIS) will be key for smooth implementation.
8. Plan for Staff Training
Once your district has selected a vendor and completed the foundational steps, staff training will be the next priority. Helping your team understand the new reimbursement process will ensure everything runs smoothly.
9. Support Claim Management Adoption
For the first time, school-based mental health professionals will be billing for all services provided to all students. Encouraging staff to fully adopt this process will maximize funding opportunities and ensure sustainability.
What’s Next? We’ve Got You Covered!
We know this is a big transition, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Over the next two months, TadHealth will be diving deeper into each step, offering guidance, tools, and resources to make the process as seamless as possible. Our goal is to help you feel fully prepared to file CYBHI claims and make the most of this incredible opportunity.
Stay tuned for more insights—we’re here to help every step of the way!
TadHealth is the ONLY platform built specifically for the CYBHI fee schedule and school-based mental health programs.
To start your journey, click here to speak with one of our dedicated professionals.
