BUSD is now part of a program that ensures that the resources and care provided to students who need behavioral health support can continue. Behavioral Health includes Mental Health.
About CYBHI
This statewide initiative ensures schools can better provide resources and care to your child should they need support. The program allows school districts to be reimbursed for socio-emotional mental health services they provide to students. Reimbursement comes from families’ private health insurance providers, including Medi-Cal.
In the Spring of 2026, we will be asking parents, guardians, and caregivers to provide their health insurance or Medi-Cal, if they have not already provided the information. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, the request will be part of an annual Data Confirmation process.Please read the information below to learn more.
Details on CYBHI
+ Background
During the pandemic and in the years immediately following, both the state and federal government provided temporary funding to meet students’ increased need for mental health and emotional health support. BUSD utilized that funding to provide direct services to students TK-12.
This temporary funding is designated as “one-time” funding, and it has ended. Soon, other one-time funding sources will also end, and many school districts, like BUSD, are looking for ways to create sustainable solutions to maintain behavioral (mental health and wellness) services.
+ Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) requires health insurers to reimburse school districts for specific support activities that are provided to students under the age of 26, including:
- Social-emotional lessons in the classroom
- Behavioral health screenings
- Teen Mental Health First Aid for peer educators and student interns
- Substance use screening and counseling
- Individual and group counseling for lifestyle topics such as friendship, social skills. executive functioning, stress, anxiety, grief, etc.
This program is a first-of-its-kind effort to make it easier for students and families to get the school-linked support and direct services related to students’ health and wellbeing, including mental health needs.
The CYBHI program prohibits health care plans and insurers from passing any of the costs of these services to families. It provides other protections for families, as well. For instance, our reimbursement request will not affect your insurance coverage (i.e. you will not pay co-pays, higher premiums, or deductibles). Receiving services at school will not reduce or impact students’ or their families’ ability to obtain care outside of school.
As part of the CYBHI, the “Fee Schedule” sets the reimbursement rate for different types of school related services. BUSD service categories include brief counseling, support groups, executive functioning support, and mental health intervention support.
+ How to Enter Insurance Information Into Infinite Campus
Instructions for entering medical insurance into Infinite Campus in January of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about the CYBHI Fee Schedule
+ Will the CYBHI Fee Schedule Change the Services My Student Receives?
No, the CYBHI Fee Schedule will not change the type of behavioral health services your child receives. Instead, it changes the way that school districts pay for the provision of behavioral health services.
Services that are eligible for reimbursement include behavioral health screenings, assessments, and ongoing mental health supports. Students can continue to receive other types of services even if they are not eligible for reimbursement.
+ Will the Fee Schedule Change the Special Education Services My Child Receives?
No. Your student will continue to receive the services specified in their IEP. The Fee Schedule only affects the funding for mental and socio-emotional services for students.
+ Why Do I Need To Provide Health Information?
Under the CYBHI Fee Schedule, districts can be reimbursed for the eligible mental health and socio-emotional services they provide to students. The information that you share with us will allow us to verify your coverage and submit a request for reimbursement.
+ Will You Ask My Permission Before Providing Services To My Child?
Some services — such as socio-emotional education — may take place during class time. Those lessons do not require parent permission.
We will ask for your consent before providing more specific mental health services. Please note, however, that minors aged 12 and above can consent to certain services without their parents’ permission.
+ Can I Choose Which Services My Child Receives?
Some services — such as socio-emotional education — may take place during class time. Those lessons do not require parent permission.
Individual and group counseling do require your consent, and we will contact you about this before providing these services to your child.
Please note, however, that minors aged 12 and above can consent to certain services without their parents’ permission.
+ Are You Collecting Insurance Information From All Families?
Yes. Districts participating in the CYBHI program are required to collect health insurance (or Medi-Cal information) from all families — whether they receive services or not.
+ I Don’t Want To Participate In This Program. How Do I Opt Out?
State law requires families to provide their insurance or MediCal information.
However, not all students need mental health services or supports, and the school will ask for your consent before providing individual or group counseling to your child.
+ Will the CYBHI Fee Schedule Affect Our Health Insurance?
The CYBHI Fee Schedule will not affect your health insurance.
California Welfare & Institutions Code section 5961.4 and California Health & Safety Code Section 1374.722 (b)(6) prohibit insurance companies from requiring co-payments for CYBHI services or changing a family’s insurance based on its use of them.
+ My Family Does Not Have Health Insurance. Can My Child Still Receive Services?
Yes, your child can receive mental health services at our sites even if your family does not have health insurance.
During Data Confirmation in the fall, please indicate that you don’t have health insurance on the CYBHI form. (There is an option for that.) That will help us keep track of our billing.
+ Why Am I Being Asked To Provide Consent For My High School Aged Youth To Access Counseling Services If The Age Of Consent In California is 12?
While the age of consent for accessing reproductive and mental health counseling is 12, we require parental consent for all students during Data Confirmation. This is because most students are unaware of their health insurance information, which is necessary for us to bill using the CYBHI Fee Schedule.
We believe in transparency in the services that we provide to students; therefore, we request consent from all of our parents/guardians – even for those students over 12 years of age.
Resources
CA Dept Of Health Services: Multi-Lingual Flyer Options
Spanish | Vietnamese | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese | Arabic | Farsi
CA Dept Of Health Services: CYBHI Fee Schedule Program
Contact
Doreen Bracamontes, Program Manager, Counseling & Wellness | Email: doreenbracamontes@berkeley.net
Rosina Keren, Coordinator, Mental Health | Email: rosinakeren@berkeley.net
