California School Based Health Alliance

OutreachCSHA conducts outreach to build support for the SBHC model and to generate interest among schools and communities in addressing health, mental health, and wellness at their school sites. Accomplishments include:-Continued with the successful implementation of the Central Valley School Health Coalition for education and health providers focused on starting/enhancing SBHCs in the Central Valley - Led a growing network of school-health stakeholders including more than 8,000 individuals representing SBHCs, school districts, community health centers, dental and mental health providers, policy groups, and others concerned with children's health.- Led a Peer 2 Peer Learning Collaborative engaging 26 schools and 31 participants to support their efforts at building school-based peer programs and created an e-resource hub to support the planning and implementation of peer programs

PolicyCSHA Advocates for policies that improve access to high-quality care for children and youth by making SBHCs an integral part of the health care and education systems. In 2024, we sponsored California Assembly Bill 2052 (Jones-Sawyer) School-Based Health and Education Partnership Program to support the effective program administration and align definitions in Education Code. Unfortunately, AB2052 did not make it out of the Appropriations Committee and did not advance in the legislature. We also conducted advocacy with local, state, and federal legislators to support school health and school-based health services. In February 2024, we hosted a legislative briefing with almost all Assembly and Senate staffers, subject matter experts and a youth leader to highlight the importance of lifting up the experiences of young people so lawmakers continue to address gaps in health and education funding and policies.