April 16th, 2025
The Honorable Caroline Menjivar
Chair, Senate Health Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3310
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: CAYEN Support for Senate Bill 812 (Allen)
Dear Chair Menjivar,
The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Senate Bill 812 (Allen), legislation that would expand coverage of mental health and substance use services provided at qualified youth drop-in centers.
CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members that engages, empowers, and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy.
As California continues to expand mental health and substance use services for children and youth, significant barriers such as transportation or uncertainty about how to find care continue to limit access. Youth drop-in centers offer a non-traditional approach to support youth by being available outside of school hours and in some cases off campus. However, the inability of centers to be reimbursed for medically necessary services to youth may prevent youth from accessing services out of fear of being denied if they lack appropriate coverage.
Additionally, when centers are unable to receive reimbursement for the medically necessary services they provide, they are left with two difficult choices: absorb the cost or turn youth away. Both options compromise the center’s sustainability and reduce access for youth in need of services. This bill requires health plans and Medi-Cal to reimburse youth drop-in centers for services delivered, ensuring these safe spaces remain accessible to youth who need them most.
For these reasons, CAYEN supports SB 812 (Allen) and asks for your “Aye” vote. 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@mhaofca.org.
Sincerely,
Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator
