California’s initiative to enhance mental health services in schools is facing delays, affecting the rollout of a key program designed to allow schools to bill Medi-Cal and private insurers for on-campus behavioral health services. This program, part of the state’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, aims to help schools expand mental health services by providing a sustainable funding source.
As of now, only 14 school districts and county education offices have started billing under the program, despite 494 districts signing up to participate. Initially, 46 districts were set to begin billing by July 2024, but delays in guidance and training have hindered progress. Some schools, having hired mental health staff in anticipation of the program, now face potential layoffs due to the lack of incoming funds.
According to CalMatters, the California Department of Health Care Services, which oversees the program, cited the complexity of implementation as a reason for the delays. The department is working to address challenges and aims for the first group of districts to start billing by the end of the current school year.
Meanwhile, other mental health efforts continue under the state’s $4.7 billion initiative, which includes funding for mental health apps and workforce training. However, potential federal Medicaid cuts pose a threat to these advancements, as Medicaid is a significant funding source for mental health services in California.
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