As we near the end of the month, I want to share that I and my team at the California Health and Human Services supporting CYBHI will be concluding our roles as planned. While this particular team is wrapping up, the website will remain active and work itself is not ending—far from it. The real momentum has always come from the many dedicated teams across the enterprise who have and continue to carry this effort with such skill and passion.

And so as my role as Director comes to a close, I want to share my heartfelt gratitude to California’s young people and all who support them, including families, educators, providers, administrators, and community leaders. CYBHI was created with a simple but powerful goal: to ensure every young person in this state can access the support they need to thrive. Over the past several years, I have watched that goal come to life through the courage of individuals stepping forward, the dedication of staff expanding services in schools and communities, and the collaboration of partners committed to building a healthier future.

The progress we have made is real and measurable. Services and supports have expanded, the workforce has grown in ways that young people have demanded, and new spaces now exist for youth to connect with trusted adults when they need help most. I continue to be inspired by the young people who have told me they feel more connected to their peers and more confident asking for support—reminders that system change is meaningful only when it improves the everyday experiences of those we serve.

The work is far from over. I leave knowing that CYBHI’s momentum is strong and that the work continues in the capable hands of many leaders in communities and organizations across the state. The foundation that has been built together—rooted in partnership, equity, and youth perspectives—will carry California forward in shaping the system we need. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our next generation. They are the reason this work was started, and they must remain at the center of how it progresses.