School-based
mental health insights

CYBHI is a first-of-its-kind initiative, and the work that California’s Department of Health Care Services and Carelon Behavioral Health put into designing and launching it created something California's students genuinely needed. The 2025 data shows that CYBHI is happening, here's what it tells us about how.

Getting a new behavioral health program off the ground is one thing. Getting families to trust it and opt in is another challenge entirely.

Billing is often treated as the finish line for CYBHI. But districts that are seeing real results know the truth: long before the first claim is submitted, setup determines whether CYBHI becomes a sustainable funding stream or an operational strain.

This week, we want to pause and express gratitude for the care, presence, and steadiness you bring to your students every day. This is just a simple, heartfelt thank you.

When districts begin planning for CYBHI billing, it’s natural to want to start with the systems already in place. In practice, this is often how CYBHI becomes heavier than it needs to be...

CYBHI offers districts a path to sustainable funding for school-based mental health services. But reimbursement only works when preparation is done right. Across California, districts are learning the same lesson... 

The TadHealth team had the privilege of joining district leaders, board members, and community partners at the California School Boards Association’s Annual Education Conference & Trade Show in Sacramento. The energy, vision, and commitment to student wellness in every conversation were truly inspiring.

State Reimbursement Program Builds on Positive Early Results with New Resources

ANAHEIM, Calif. — When single mom Juanita Saenz and her two sons faced homelessness a couple years ago, she says her eldest Joseph had a tough time adjusting.“It was a huge struggle for him to endeavor with everything that was going on, as well as school and really communicating or integrate with his classmates or peers,” she said.

To make sense of a complex state initiative, many school districts in California have turned to the behavioral health technology platform TadHealth that simplifies complex billing processes for users.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — As mental health needs continue to rise, many schools are struggling to secure the necessary funding to meet the demand. Ben Greiner, CEO of TadHealth, highlighted the current state of mental health funding and emphasized the need for changes to ensure access to care for everyone. "The demand for mental health services in schools is increasing, but the funding is not keeping pace," Greiner said. He stressed the importance of addressing these funding gaps to provide adequate support for students in need.

There’s a common misconception that most CYBHI claims simply get denied. While it’s true that denials happen, around 30% of filed claims, the real story lies in why they happen and how easily most can be prevented.

TadHealth’s electronic health record platform is helping school’s get reimbursed for providing mental health services.The Newport Beach-based tech startup has partnered with Anaheim Elementary School District (AESD), saving the district more than $700,000 in state reimbursements, with the amount expected to surpass $1 million in the coming weeks, according to the district.

Last week, the TadHealth team had the honor of joining educators, mental health leaders, and community partners at the 2025 Wellness Together Conference in San Diego. We were proud to support such an important gathering dedicated to advancing student mental health.

Anaheim Elementary School District (AESD), in partnership with TadHealth, a purpose-built school-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) and claims engine built for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), has secured over $700K in its first of many upcoming state reimbursements.

CYBHI success is not limited to district staff. Schools rarely do this work alone. From community-based organizations (CBOs), federally qualified health centers, after school programs to wellness coaches, counselors, and referral partners, it takes a network of providers to meet the full range of student and school community needs.

This isn’t just a design update. Our refreshed logo is a visual expression of who we are today - an organization deeply committed to empowering those who care. Every line, curve, and color reflects our mission to support the educators and mental health professionals making a difference in schools every day.

California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is transforming the way schools support student mental health. For the first time, districts can be reimbursed directly for services like counseling, wellness coaching, screenings, and referrals through a statewide fee-for-service model. That means the care your students are already receiving can now be sustained with reliable funding.

Earlier this month, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order directing state agencies to address what experts call a growing crisis of loneliness among boys and young men in California. The order calls for expanding mental health services and creating stronger education and workforce pathways.

TadHealth is here to help you move from uncertainty to action. Whether you’re looking to streamline insurance collection, clarify your service model, or simply understand what CYBHI can offer your district, this blog was written to meet you at any stage of your journey.

Collecting student insurance information is vital for the success of your CYBHI program. Without it, your school or district cannot seek reimbursement for the care provided. Collecting student insurance information for the CYBHI does not affect the student’s family coverage or status, but it does unlock critical resources that help keep counselors, social workers, and support staff in schools where students need them most. 

Schools are being reimbursed for mental health services that your staff is providing for free… Let’s change that! The state of California made a $4.7 billion investment to expand school-based mental health care through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Multi-Payer Fee Schedule.

Behind every successful CYBHI implementation is a team that’s doing the work - navigating new systems, figuring out billing, and ensuring students get the support they need. At TadHealth, we’re proud to be the partner districts call on when that work gets real.

Getting started with CYBHI can feel like a big step, but that’s because it’s a big opportunity. With new funding streams, multi-payer billing options, and expanded behavioral health services, there’s a lot to navigate.

If your district has been watching the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) from the sidelines - wondering if this $4.7 billion investment is real, if it’s working, or if it’s worth the effort - you’re not alone.You’re not wrong to ask. The pressure is real - especially when decisions can impact your team, your budget, and the care your students receive. But we’re here to share this, with care and full transparency...

In our recent webinar, “Streamlining Claims Submissions for Success,” TadHealth brought together leading voices in school-based mental health to walk district leaders through the path to sustainable CYBHI implementation. Whether you missed the live event or want a deeper dive into the insights shared, this post recaps the major themes, best practices, and actionable strategies discussed by our panel.

TadHealth, a leading provider of school-based mental health technology, is proud to announce it has been selected by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to deliver a county-wide Student Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in support of California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI).

For the first time, school-based mental health providers are expected to submit claims for every service provided to every student. This shift opens the door to sustainable funding, but only if the process is embraced and implemented consistently.

CYBHI is reshaping how school-based mental health services are delivered and funded. For many districts, frontline providers will be billing for every interaction with students, potentially for the first time. Without strong training and communication, this new process can lead to confusion and hesitation, stalling implementation and causing missed reimbursement opportunities.

A key step in CYBHI implementation is communicating with parents and updating your Student Information System (SIS). Given that CYBHI involves student health data, proactive and transparent communication with parents is essential. Additionally, ensuring your SIS is up-to-date with accurate student information, including insurance details, is crucial for smooth implementation and reimbursement.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 24, 2025 — TadHealth, a leading provider of mental health technology solutions for schools, today announced the successful completion of its $5.5 Million dollar Series A funding round, led by seasoned healthcare executives.

The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is built on the idea that schools are key to delivering equitable mental health care. For services to be reimbursed, every provider involved in student mental health services must be registered in the CYBHI system.

When it comes to CYBHI implementation, your board of education plays a vital role. They are not only key decision-makers but also influential stakeholders who can either accelerate or delay the pace of progress. That’s why it’s essential to keep them in the loop from the very beginning.

Let's face it: every funding initiative comes with its share of paperwork, and CYBHI is no exception. But don't worry, it doesn't have to be overwhelming! The key is to get organized early and understand the requirements.

Let’s assume you attended the office hours, evaluated your internal systems, and perhaps met with a few vendors. Now what? One of the most important early steps is connecting with your amazing staff, especially your dedicated mental health professionals and school site teams. They'll naturally have questions, and how we address them together sets the stage for a successful implementation.

As school districts across California navigate the new opportunities provided by the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), one thing is clear: choosing the right partner to support your district’s reimbursement process is critical.

The Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a historic opportunity for California school districts to secure funding for student mental health services, but navigating the process is not simple. To support districts through the complexities of CYBHI reimbursements, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Carelon have created CYBHI Office Hours, a crucial resource designed to walk districts through the many steps of participation.

With the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), California is making a historic $4 billion investment to expand mental health support for students. This is an incredible opportunity for school districts to strengthen services and access much-needed funding.

Discover how the $4.7 billion CYBHI is revolutionizing K-12 mental health services. Learn how schools can navigate this initiative, overcome misconceptions, and use TadHealth to enhance student support through early intervention, integrated care, and strategic partnerships.

TadHealth and the Nevada Joint Union High School District have made history, submitting the first-ever claim under California's transformative Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). The claim, processed through Carelon, the state’s exclusive claims administrator, was submitted on November 25, 2024.

The California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a groundbreaking statewide effort designed to transform mental health services for children and youth. With a significant investment of $4.7 billion, the initiative focuses on creating a robust system of care that emphasizes early intervention, integrated services, and mental health promotion within school settings. However, despite its potential, there are several misconceptions about the CYBHI that may prevent districts from fully leveraging its benefits. This blog aims to address and clarify these common misconceptions, ensuring that schools can make the most of what CYBHI has to offer.

TadHealth announced today an oversubscribed funding round of $1.6M, led by Halcyon Venture Partners.

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Since 1988, Medicaid has been helping schools by reimbursing them for important healthcare services.

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