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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative​ 

The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is part of Governor Gavin Newsom's Master Plan fo​r Kids' Mental Health​, a historic investment by the State of California that takes a “whole child" approach to address the factors that contribute to the mental health and well-being of our children and youth.

​Behavioral Health Virtual Services Platforms​​​​ 

In January 2024, DHCS, in partnership with Kooth and Brightline, launched two free behavioral health virtual services platforms, web- and app-based applications that support two distinct groups: Brig​htLife Kids is for parents, caregivers, and kids 0-12 years old and Soluna is for teens and young adults ages 13-25.

For more information about the Behavioral Health Virtual Services Platforms, please visit the BHVS Platforms webpage.

Email: CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov. ​

California Child and Ado​​lescent Mental Health Access Portal (Cal-MAP)​

In 2024, DHCS, in partnership with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), launched the California Child and Adolescent mental Health Access Portal (Cal-MAP) is a CalHOPE pediatric mental health care access program designed to increase timely access to mental health care for youth throughout California's communities, especially in the state's most underserved and rural areas. designed to increase timely access to mental health care for youth throughout California's communities, especially in the state's most underserved and rural areas.

For more information about the Cal-MAP, please visit the Cal-Map webpage​ or www.cal-map.org​.

Email: CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov. ​

Evidence-Based Practices​ and Community Defined Evidence Practices Grants 

DHCS was authorized a total of $381.9 million to distribute grants across five rounds to organizations seeking to scale EBPs/CDEPs that improve youth behavioral health based on robust evidence for effectiveness, impact on racial equity, and sustainability.

For more information about the EBP/CDEP grant program , please visit the EBP/CDEP Grants webpage .

Email: CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov. ​

CalHOPE 

The CalHOPE program builds community resiliency and helps people recover from disasters through free outreach, crisis counseling, and support services. The CalHOPE program is funded by the 2022 Budget Act and is ran by the DHCS.

For more information about the CalHOPE program, please visit the CalHOPE webpage​ or the CalHOPE Home website.

Email: calhope@dhcs.ca.gov  ​

​School-Linked Services

​Below are the CYBHI workstreams offering school-linked services:

Dyadic Serv​​ices 

In January 2023, DHCS added dyadic services as a benefit. Dyadic services are available to Medi-Cal members in fee-for-service (FFS) and through managed care plans (MCPs).

For more information about dyadic services, please visit the Dyadic-Services webpage.​

Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program​​ 

DHCS established the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) with $2.2 billion to construct, acquire, and rehabilitate real estate assets or to invest in needed mobile crisis infrastructure to expand the community continuum of behavioral health treatment resources. DHCS is releasing BHCIP grant funds through six rounds that target various gaps in the state's behavioral health facility infrastructure. 

For more information about BHCIP, please visit the BHCIP website.

Email: BHCIP@dhcs.ca.gov.​

Student​ Behavioral Health Incentive Program​​ 

In January 2022, DHCS launched the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP) to support new investments in behavioral health services, infrastructure, information technology and data exchange, and workforce capacity for school-based and school-affiliated behavioral health providers .

For more information about SBHIP, please visit SBHIP webpage.

Email: sbhip@dhcs.ca.gov ​​

Positive Parenting Thriving Kids 

​DHCS, in partnership with The Child Mind Institute (CMI), is producing a parent-support video series providing parents with resources and skills to support their children’s mental health.

For more information about PPTK, please visit the PPTK webpage.​

Email: CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov. 

Next Generation Digital Therapeutics

DHCS in partnership, with the Child Mind Institute (CMI) is developing the Next-Generation Digital Therapeutics (NGDT) program to include innovative digital tools to enhance mental health care for children and adolescents. ​​

​Email: CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov. ​

​Resources​ 

Last modified date: 1/31/2025 11:49 AM