A core value of CYBHI is to create a system that is centered on youth and families and is designed to meet their needs. We engage in extensive outreach, interviews and listening sessions to ensure that our work is shaped by the voices, insights and experiences of young people, families, and the individuals and institutions that serve them.
The CYBHI is a collaborative effort, informed by and implemented with young people, families, and the broader ecosystem of entities that work tirelessly to address the mental health, wellness and substance use needs of young people. From clinical and behavioral health providers to early childhood providers, schools, higher education institutions, primary care physicians, managed care plans, community-based organizations, social service agencies, parks, counties and many others, we work in partnership with this ecosystem to unite their efforts, integrate their work and expand their capacity to meet the needs of California youth and families.
Young people and families are at the center of everything the CYBHI does. The initiative’s work is done not just for, but with and by them. We have engaged in widespread youth and family outreach since the initiative’s launch, and we are building on those efforts by organizing a statewide youth and family network to ensure the voices of Californian youth and families continue to guide our work at every stage of the initiative, from program design to implementation and evaluation.
The CYBHI is focused on meeting kids where they are, and schools are a key place to achieve that. That’s why the partnership between health and education is vital to supporting the mental health and wellness needs of youth and providing access to behavioral health services and supports. CYBHI seeks to further support and build upon existing leadership by educators who seek to support the mental health of their students. We work in partnership across systems—from early childhood to K-12 school districts, higher education systems and others—to develop and deploy voluntary tools, resources and training that support the needs of students.
Transforming and reimagining the way our state serves children and families requires the engagement and input of all those who address youth mental health and substance use needs. The CYBHI works in partnership with those who help build, develop and train the behavioral health workforce, expanding their tools, capacity, skills and resources so they can more effectively and equitably serve our young people.