Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)
At Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, we believe every child deserves to thrive. That’s why we’re committed to supporting the whole child — their social-emotional growth, physical health, and mental wellbeing — so students can succeed in school and beyond.
What is the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)?
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule is a California state program through the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that allows public schools to seek reimbursement from health insurance plans (including Medi-Cal and private/commercial insurance) for certain eligible wellness and mental health services already provided to students during the school day. This funding helps our school district sustain and expand student wellness support services at no cost to families.
Services Available to Your Child
CYBHI strengthens the behavioral health support already delivered by our school counselors, school social workers, district nurses, and behavioral technicians — extending our reach with additional no-cost services for students. Available resources vary by school and individual need, and may include:
| Eligible Services to Bill | Examples of Services at School |
| Screening & Assessment | Behavioral health screenings to identify needs early. |
| Direct Counseling | Individual & small group counseling; Student wellbeing “Check-Ins”. |
| Substance Use Support | Screening and counseling for substance use disorders. |
| Crisis Support | Immediate crisis intervention and risk screenings. |
| Psychoeducation | Classroom, individual, & small group lessons on social-emotional learning, coping skills, stress management, peer-conflict resolution, mental health conditions, and more. |
| Care Coordination/Case Management | Help connecting students and families with long-term, specialized care in the community. |
Addressing Family Concerns
We understand that sharing personal health information can be a sensitive topic. Here is clear information on how CYBHI addresses concerns related to cost, insurance, and privacy.
Concern 1: Will this cost my family money?
Absolutely NOT. Services provided under the CYBHI Fee Schedule Program at school are FREE to you and your family.
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What Families Should Know |
The CYBHI Law (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5961.4 and Health and Safety Code Section 1374.722) |
| NO Out-of-Pocket Costs | State Law prohibits health plans and insurers (including Medi-Cal and private/commercial plans) from charging families for these services. You will not have co-pays, deductibles, or any other costs. |
| NO Impact on Your Health Plan | Using school-based services will not affect or reduce your existing health insurance coverage, benefits or ability to receive care outside of school. |
| Why We Need Insurance | This new statewide initiative requires health plans to reimburse schools for covered services. Providing your child’s insurance information simply allows the school district to bill the insurer (Medi-Cal or private/commercial insurance) to secure the funding needed to keep these services in place. |
Concern 2: Is my child’s information private and secure?
YES. All health and personal information is securely protected by law and not provided to any third parties without your consent.
- Federal Privacy Laws: You and your child are entitled to privacy and confidentiality protections under to key federal laws:
• HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
• FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) - Secure Use of Information: Your health insurance information is stored securely through our student information system (Aeries) and our electronic health record and billing partner (Practi-Cal). This information is shared only with the necessary state departments and your existing insurer, strictly for the purpose of obtaining reimbursement. It is never shared with outside entities except as required by law. Only the minimum information necessary for billing is used — such as your child’s name, date of birth, health insurance details, date of service, and billing code. No personal or sensitive information discussed with your student or family is ever shared during the billing process.
Support for Your Student and Family
As valued partners in your child’s education and wellbeing, we want to make sure you are aware of the resources available to you. Your school social worker and school counselor are confidential resources dedicated to supporting both you and your student. We encourage you to reach out to them for assistance with any of the following:
- Academic or social-emotional concerns
- Navigating school programs and resources
- Connecting with community services for food, housing, or healthcare
- Any other challenges that may be affecting your child’s learning or wellbeing
Consent to Bill
You may be asked to sign a Consent to Bill form, authorizing the school to bill your insurance for services rendered to your child. Signing this form does not obligate your child to receive any treatment. Consent to Bill is not the same as Consent to Treat — a separate authorization is required before your child participates in specific counseling services, such as individual or small group counseling or therapy. If additional services are recommended, someone from your child’s school counseling team will contact you to discuss.
Link to : Practi-Cal Secure Insurance & Consent to Bill Collection Form
Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens if my child does not receive any qualifying service?
If your child does not receive an eligible service, no claim will be submitted to your health plan.
How does this benefit students and schools?
Family participation helps preserve and strengthen these supports district wide. Reimbursement from health insurances help our district with the following:
- Sustain school-based counseling services.
- Maintain licensed and credentialed staff that provide student support and mental health services.
- Expand prevention and early intervention programs.
- Reduce reliance on limited general education funds.
Do I have to participate?
No. Students can continue receiving school-based student support services and mental health supports at no cost even if you choose not to provide insurance information or consent to bill. However, without this information, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District cannot access reimbursement that helps sustain these supports for all students. We encourage you to still complete the health insurance collection form and consent decision.
Who is Practi-Cal?
Practi-Cal is the District’s secure electronic health records and claims management partner. They collect consent and insurance information in compliance with FERPA and HIPAA. Your information is used only for purposes allowed under state and federal law.
I received an email from “mail@practi-cal.com”. Is this email legitimate? It looked like spam.
Families may receive emails from Practi-Cal, our district’s secure electronic health records and billing partner, requesting that you “Please Update Your Student`s Insurance Information”. These communications are sent on behalf of Fallbrook Union Elementary School District. They are not spam. If you are unsure about an email, you may contact sgonzalez@fuesd.org or (760) 731-5423 to verify.
What if my child has an IEP or receives special education services?
Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will continue to receive all services they are entitled to, regardless of whether insurance information is provided. Participation in the CYBHI program has no impact on your child’s special education services or rights. However, if your child receives additional behavioral health support beyond what is outlined in their IEP or IFSP, those services may be eligible for reimbursement through the CYBHI program. We are requesting insurance and consent for all students.
What if my child does not have insurance?
Your child can still receive services at no cost. We encourage you to still complete the health insurance collection form and consent decision. If you need assistance or information on health insurance enrollment, please contact your school site school social worker.
How do I provide my child’s insurance and consent?
Because parent response can vary, we collect insurance information and consent in the following two ways:
- Data Confirmation via AERIES parent portal.
- Click here to access your AERIES parent portal.
- Don’t have a parent portal? Please call Student Services for assistance at (760) 731-5442.
- You will receive an email or text with a secure link from our EHR/billing partner, Practi-Cal.
Click here to access the Practi-Cal secure Insurance & Consent Collection form.
Who do I contact with questions about this program?
Please contact CYBHI coordinator/district social worker, Sally Gonzalez, via email or phone sgonzalez@fuesd.org; (760) 723-5423.
Resources:
- [CYBHI Parent/Guardian Info Flyer]
- [Insert F.A.Q’s Flyer]
- [Insert DHCS Parent/Guardian Flyer]
- [Insert Paper Consent Form English/Spanish]
- To learn more about California’s commitment to student wellness through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), please visit cybhi.chhs.ca.gov.
Need Help? Contact FUESD Student Services at (760) 731-5442.
Our Mission and Vision
Our Mission is to prepare every student leader with the knowledge and skill-set needed to thrive in high school, college, and career.
Our Vision is for every FUESD student to be a confident, compassionate and courageous member of the community, who is prepared to make a meaningful contribution to the world.