California’s $4.7 billion Master Plan for Children’s Mental Health will ensure that all Californians 25 and under have expanded access to mental health and substance use support
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom applauded the Biden-Harris Administration for new steps to strengthen mental health services in schools and address the youth mental health crisis. This will result in millions of federal dollars coming to California to help the state further strengthen these essential services. The launch of this federal initiative complements California’s $4.7 billion Master Plan for Children’s Mental Health, which aims to ensure universal access to mental health and substance use support for all children and youth. The California Plan builds the infrastructure and workforce California needs to address this crisis, and promotes coverage options and public awareness to create a system where all children and youth are routinely screen, support and service them. “As some states cut mental health funding, the President is stepping in to get our children the support they need,” said Governor Newsom. “This announcement builds on California’s $4.7 billion Master Plan for Children’s Mental Health, an unprecedented all-of-the-above approach to addressing this crisis—hiring more counselors and behavioral health specialists while also expands access to services and facilities throughout the state. ” The Governor’s Master Plan will create a pipeline to hire or train up to 40,000 behavioral health specialists and school counselors to serve California’s youth, on top of new brick and mortar facilities and digital platforms to expand access to these essential services.
