July 1st, 2025
The Honorable Mike Fong
Assembly Higher Education Committee
1020 N Street, Room 173
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: CAYEN Support for SB 244 (Grayson)
Dear Chair Fong,
The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support SB 244 (Grayson), legislation that would require the Trustees of the California State University, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and the respective governing bodies of private institutions of higher education, and would request the Regents of the University of California, to cover the costs of diagnostic assessments as proof for academic accommodations.
CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. These issues include expanding support and services for TAY living with mental health disabilities.
Despite existing legal protections, many TAY face a significant financial hurdle when seeking academic accommodations for their mental health disability: the cost of required diagnostic assessments. For instance, a psychoeducational assessment can cost between $2,500 and $7,000.[1] While some students’ health insurance may cover these costs, many must bear this financial burden themselves.
It is for these reasons, CAYEN supports SB 244 and asks for your “Aye” vote. Economic barriers should not prevent youth from being able to access the support and services needed to achieve academic success. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhac.org
Sincerely,
Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator
[1] Ezarik, M. (2024, July 11). Donors fund evaluations for student academic accommodations. Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/academic-life/2024/07/11/donors-fund-evaluations-student-academic
