Overview
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a five-year, $4.6 billion statewide initiative designed to expand behavioral health support for children, youth, and families in California schools. The initiative provides funding and guidance to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) through two key programs:
CYBHI Capacity Grants
- One-time grant funding to build the necessary infrastructure, expand provider capacity, and develop partnerships in preparation for implementing the CYBHI Fee Schedule.
CYBHI Fee Schedule
- A statewide reimbursement model that allows LEAs to bill for school-based behavioral health services and receive ongoing funding for eligible services.
🔹 Key Difference: The Capacity Grants provide one-time funding to help schools prepare, while the Fee Schedule offers ongoing reimbursement for behavioral health services.
CYBHI Capacity Grants
About the Capacity Grants
The CYBHI Capacity Grants program provides $400 million in one-time funding to help LEAs expand behavioral health services and build readiness for the Fee Schedule. These grants support:
✔ Hiring mental health professionals
✔ Developing critical infrastructure
✔ Forming school-linked partnerships
Grant Distribution Process
- Once your LEA’s contract is fully executed, we will issue a warrant for 50% of the grant funds.
- An additional 40% will be issued after submission of the July 2025 progress report.
- The final 10% will be issued after submission of the January 2026 progress report.
Community of Practice (COPs) Meetings
The CYBHI Capacity Grants COPs Meetings are monthly meetings where LEAs receive important updates, guidance, and training opportunities related to the grant. These meetings provide a forum to ask questions, clarify grant requirements, and receive the latest policy updates.
Why Attend?
✔ Stay informed about Capacity Grant requirements and updates
✔ Get answers to common LEA billing and implementation questions
✔ Learn best practices from other LEAs implementing behavioral health services
- Delegated Groups – Access COPs Recording - list of LEAs?
- Hybrid & Direct Allocation Groups – Access COPs Recording - list of LEAs?
Mental Health & School Counseling Newsletter
The Capacity Grants support ongoing training opportunities to prepare LEAs for successful participation in the Fee Schedule. All upcoming trainings, workshops, and technical assistance are listed in the Mental Health & School Counseling Newsletter.
Subscribe to the Newsletter
CYBHI Fee Schedule
What Is the CYBHI Fee Schedule?
The CYBHI Fee Schedule is a state-funded reimbursement model that allows LEAs to bill for behavioral health services provided in schools. Unlike the Capacity Grants, which provide one-time funding, the Fee Schedule ensures sustainable, ongoing financial support for behavioral health services.
Reimbursement Process-Click here for a video explaining the reimbursement process
- LEAs provide eligible behavioral health services to students.
- LEAs submit claims using approved provider types and billing codes.
- Reimbursements are processed following state guidelines.
Resources for CYBHI Fee Schedule
Provider Types & Billing Codes
[Download the List of Provider Types & Codes]
What’s Included?
List of approved provider types eligible for reimbursement
Service codes required for billing under the Fee Schedule
National Provider Identifier (NPI) Guides
1. LEA Organizational NPI Guide
Each LEA must obtain an NPI before billing under the CYBHI Fee Schedule. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for applying for an Organizational NPI and ensuring compliance.
2. Individual Practitioner NPI Guide
All licensed and unlicensed behavioral health providers working under an LEA must have their own NPI number. This guide explains how individual practitioners can apply for or update their NPI before the LEA begins billing.
[Download the Practitioner NPI Guide]
PAVE Guide for ORP (Ordering, Referring, Prescribing) Providers
In order for staff members who do not hold a professional license to provide services and submit claims under the CYBHI Fee Schedule, each LEA must have at least one licensed professional enrolled as an Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (ORP) provider in the PAVE system.
Why is an ORP Provider Required?
✔ A licensed ORP provider (such as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or other eligible professional) must be enrolled in PAVE to authorize services provided by unlicensed staff.
✔ Once an LEA has an ORP-enrolled licensed provider, their non-licensed staff (such as Wellness Coaches) can deliver services and submit claims for reimbursement.
[Download the PAVE ORP Guide]
Wellness Coach Guide
The Wellness Coach Guide explains how non-licensed professionals can provide preventive and early intervention mental health support in schools under the Fee Schedule.
[Download the Wellness Coach Guide]
Board of Behavioral Sciences
The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) oversees the licensing of behavioral health providers in California. Service providers submitting claims as licensed or registered social workers, marriage and family therapists,or professional clinical counselors must comply with BBS requirements and guidelines, including clinical supervision requirements for unlicensed/registered providers. Information regarding BBS requirements can be found on the Board of Behavioral Sciences website.
