Position Category: CAYEN

SB 531 (RUBIO) Student Mental Health Education – Support

March 3, 2025


The Honorable Senator Sasha Renée Pérez
Chair, Senate Education Committee
1021 O Street, Room 6740
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: Support Letter for SB 531 (Rubio) Student Mental Health Education

Dear Senator Pérez,

Our organizations are proud to support Senate Bill 531 by Senator Susan Rubio.

SB 531 will help empower young Californians and destigmatize mental health challenges by requiring all California students in grades 1-12 be provided with an age-appropriate mental health education.

From the aftereffects of the COVID 19 pandemic, the pervasiveness of social media, and the rise in school threats, to the current fears and traumas California students are experiencing because of recent wildfires and changes in immigration policy, today’s students are confronted by an unprecedented scope of mental health challenges. Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. Worldwide, mental health challenges are among the leading causes of illness and disability among young people, and in California, about one-third of adolescents have experienced psychological distress.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anxiety problems, behavior disorders, and depressions are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children – and among children ages 3-17 with a current mental health condition, only 53% received treatment or counseling from a mental health professional in the past year. There are gaps in treatment to support youth: 20% of adolescents age 12-17 report having unmet mental health care needs, and 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year. 20% of high school students reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year.

Health literacy, including mental health literacy, can serve as both a risk and protective factor for health and wellbeing. Mental health education is critical to building knowledge and skills to increase awareness, tackle stigma, and encourage help-seeking behavior. Young people spend the majority of their time in schools, and education systems are well-positioned to play an integral role in fostering positive youth development. Schools can help cultivate non-stigmatizing, safe, and supportive environments where youth are informed and able to seek needed mental health care.

SB 531 will ensure that students receive age-appropriate mental health education in elementary, middle, and high schools by amending existing law to include age-appropriate mental health education within the existing requirement that health instruction be taught in grades 1-6, and by requiring that mental health education be taught in grades 7-12.

For these reasons, we are proud to support SB 531.

Sincerely,

Kerry Ahearn
Chief Executive Officer
Aldea

Sarah Bridge
Vice President, Advocacy & Strategy
Association of California Healthcare District

Tom Bakaly
Chief Executive Officer
Beach Cities Health District

Mary Jo Ramirez
Executive Director
California Family Life Center

Nazeehah Khan
Policy Director
Californians for Justice

Sergio J. Morales
Executive Director
California School-Based Health Alliance (CSHA)

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network
(CAYEN)

Terry Kim
Director of Government Relations & Advocacy
Children’s Institute

Jeff Farber
Executive Director
Helpline Youth Counseling

Stacey Roth
Chief Executive Officer
Hillsides

Allison Becwar
President & Chief Executive Officer, LCSW
Lincoln Families

Steve Gunther
President & Chief Executive Officer
Maryvale

Alex Briscoe
Principal, Strategy and Systems Change
Public Works Alliance

Lorna Little
President & Chief Executive Officer
St. Anne’s Family Services

Cc: Honorable Members, Senate Education Committee
The Honorable Senator Susan Rubio

AB 908 (SOLACHE) LGBTQ+ Inclusion in LCAP – Support

March 24th, 2025

The Honorable Al Muratsuchi
Chair, Assembly Education Committee  
1020 N Street, Room 159 
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for Assembly Bill 908 (Solache)

Dear Chair, 

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 908 (Solache), a bill that would ensure school districts prioritize the education and well-being of LGBTQ+ pupils by requiring a state priority in their local control and accountability plans (LCAP) that describes the school district’s implementation of supportive policies and initiatives for LGBTQ+ pupils. 

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. 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.  

Schools are essential public institutions that support youth in their social and emotional learning. However, disparities in school connectedness pose a significant risk factor for developing mental health and substance use challenges.[1] A recent study by UCLA’s Williams Institute also found that 10% of public middle and high school students identify as LGBTQ+ in California. These students reported lower levels of school connectedness compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers.[2] By requiring school districts to describe their implementation of support services for LGBTQ+ youth in their local control and accountability plans, schools can easily identify where the gaps in support are and efficiently address the lack of support or services provided to LGBTQ+ youth.

By requiring school districts to document these efforts, AB 908 will help ensure LGBTQ+ students receive the support they need and prevent behavioral health challenges from developing. For these reasons, we support AB 908 (Solache). 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

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Substance use among youth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

[2] Choi, S.K. Baams, L., & Wilson, B.D.M.  (2017). LGBTQ Youth in California’s Public Schools: Differences across the State. Los Angeles: The Williams Institute  

AB 727 (GONZÁLEZ) Pupil Identification Cards – Support

March 24th, 2025

The Honorable Al Muratsuchi
Chair, Assembly Education Committee   
1020 N Street, Room 159  
Sacramento, CA 95814 

RE: Support for Assembly Bill 727 (González)

Dear Chair, 

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 727 (González), legislation that would require schools and institutions of higher education to provide the Trevor Project’s suicide hotline and text line on their students’ identification cards.

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 2006, CAYEN has actively worked to empower TAY and drive meaningful change in public policy, particularly in increasing access to vital mental health supports.

This bill improves timely access to crisis support and culturally responsive services for youth facing mental health challenges by ensuring a suicide hotline and text line is readily available to them. This will help reduce information barriers and empower them to take control of their health and wellness. For these reasons, CAYEN supports AB 727 (González) and asks you to vote “Aye.” 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

AB 0579 (CASTILLO) Yaeli’s Law – Oppose

March 24th, 2025

The Honorable Ash Kalra
Chair, Assembly Judiciary Committee 
1020 N Street, Room 104
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Opposition to Assembly Bill 579 (Castillo)

Dear Chair, 

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) respectfully opposes Assembly Bill 579 (Castillo), legislation that puts transgender youth at greater risk of potential child abuse and neglect by changing statute to explicitly state that misgendering a child or denying them gender-affirming medical care are not forms of child abuse or neglect.

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 actively worked to empower TAY and drive meaningful change in public policy.  Youth deserve to live as their authentic selves and should not be subjected to neglect and abuse impacting their overall health and wellness.

As a TAY-led network run for and by TAY, public policy solutions that address the needs of youth are most effective when youth voices are at the center of decision-making, especially when policies directly impact them. CAYEN has led successful statewide policy campaigns on mental health education, the Office of Suicide Prevention, and substance use harm reduction, all developed and driven by youth leadership.[1] In contrast, AB 579 disregards the voices of transgender youth, ignoring their right to exist safely and potentially exposing them to continued neglect and abuse from individuals who should be supporting and caring for them.

A 2022 report from The Trevor Project found that suicide attempts among transgender youth increased by 72% between 2018 and 2022. This alarming rise is linked to the growing wave of anti-transgender laws in 19 states, restricting access to gender-affirming care, bathroom use, and school participation.[2] AB 579 would disregard a youth’s identity. As a result, transgender youth will suffer serious harm, facing a significant risk of experiencing a mental health crisis and suicide.

Transgender youth are asking to be recognized and supported in safe environments that affirm their identity. For these reasons, CAYEN must oppose AB 579 (Castillo) and ask you to vote “No.” 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

[1] California Youth Empowerment Network. (2024). Advocacy Across California.

[2] News, T. (2025, February 11). Anti-transgender laws cause up to 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth, study shows. The Trevor Project.  

ACR 23 (QUIRK-SILVA) Peer Appreciation Resolution – Support

March 24th, 2025

The Honorable Sharon Quirk-Silva 
California State Assembly 
1021 O Street, Room #4210
Sacramento, CA 95814 

RE: Support for ACR 23 (Quirk-SIlva)

Dear Assemblymember Quirk-Silva,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is proud to support Assembly Concurrent Resolution 23, a resolution that would recognize the third week of May 2025 (Mental Health Awareness Month) as Mental Health Peer Appreciation Week.  

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. 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 faces a growing demand for children and youth mental health services, CAYEN recognizes the critical role of young Peers, youth with lived experience navigating California’s behavioral healthcare system. Their firsthand knowledge is invaluable in shaping policies and ensuring services truly meet the needs of youth. As local and statewide leaders make decisions about mental health services for children and youth, it is essential that youth Peer voices are included. Their perspectives ensure that policies reflect the realities of those most impacted, ultimately strengthening the effectiveness and accessibility of mental health programs across the state.

Furthermore, youth Peers can leverage their lived experience to enter the behavioral health workforce as Medi-Cal Certified Peer Support Specialists. To become certified, they must be at least 18 years old, obtain a high school diploma or GED, complete the required training, and pass the Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam. As certified Peers, they can work within their local communities and schools to support others facing mental health, addiction, or trauma challenges. By sharing their lived experience, they offer hope, encouragement, and guidance, serving as role models for other youth in recovery.

As California continues to address youth mental health needs, investing in and prioritizing youth Peers must remain central to the conversation. For these reasons, we proudly support ACR 23. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this resolution or any 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 

AB 309 (ZBUR) Hypodermic Needles and Syringes – Support

March 24th, 2025

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: CAYEN Support for Assembly Bill 309 (Zbur)

Dear Chair,   

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 309 (Zbur), legislation that would allow a physician or pharmacist to continue providing hypodermic needles and syringes to individuals 18 years or older without a prescription or permit.

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. 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 CAYEN champions the mental health and well-being of TAY, it is essential to address the specific challenges faced by youth in recovery from substance use disorders.

Youth who use substances requiring hypodermic needles face numerous challenges and should not be further harmed while working towards recovery. Access to clean syringes is a proven harm reduction strategy that prevents the transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases, ultimately improving public health and safety.[1] The distribution of safe and clean needles and syringes ensures that youth in recovery can stay safer and healthier, even if they face setbacks.

This bill is a critical step toward reducing preventable harm and protecting community health. For these reasons, CAYEN supports AB 309 (Zbur) 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 

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-b). Syringe Services Programs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SB 0492 (MENJIVAR) Youth Housing Bond – Support

March 14th, 2025

The Honorable Aisha Wahab
Senate Housing Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3330
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for Senate Bill 492 (Menjivar)

Dear Chair,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Senate Bill 492 (Menjivar) the Youth Housing Bond Act of 2025, legislation that would issue bonds for the purpose of developing local youth centers and youth housing.

CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of youth action teams and a youth advisory board which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental and behavioral health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. As many TAY continue to experience homelessness and barriers to mental and substance use services and supports, CAYEN stands committed to advocating for these vital community-based resources.

Stable housing is one of many social determinants of health that have lifelong impacts on one’s health and wellness. With over 9,000 unaccompanied youth in California currently experiencing homelessness, there is an immediate need to provide targeted housing interventions for TAY.[1]  Furthermore, county prevention funds under the Behavioral Health Services Act (2024) have been eliminated. Counties no longer have designated prevention funding to invest in, develop and sustain youth centers, a behavioral health prevention strategy that meets youth where they are to offer voluntary supports and services to address their mental and substance use challenges.

The Youth Housing Bond Act of 2025 helps address the housing insecurity TAY face and increases access to vital community-based services and support.  It is for those reasons that CAYEN supports SB 492 (Menjivar) and asks for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org. 

Sincerely,

Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator

[1] HUD CoC Homeless Populations and Subpopulations Reports (2024)

AB 0068 (ESSAYLI) Armed School Resource Officers – Oppose

February 26th, 2025

The Honorable Al Muratsuchi
Chair, Assembly Education Committee
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 159
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: OPPOSE AB 68 (Essayli)

Dear Assemblymember Maratsuchi,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) respectfully opposes Assembly Bill 68 (Essayli), a bill that would require an armed resource officer on all school campuses.

CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of youth action teams and a youth advisory board which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental and behavioral 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 local and statewide change in public policy.  On the Margins, our current youth action team in Sonoma County, is currently working on removing school resource officers off campuses and reallocating those funds to support youth mental and behavioral health services.

Armed resource officers are not a mental or behavioral health intervention strategy. They fail to provide meaningful mental or behavioral health support to youth, diverting critical funding from programs and services that are better equipped to address behavioral challenges. In addition, school disciplinary measures disproportionately impact youth of color, specifically Black and Latin(x) youth. The use of armed school resources officers would expose the same population to elevated risks of experiencing a violent and potentially deadly altercation.[1]    Investments into wellness centers, peer support, and other prevention services provide better outcomes that resources officers, especially armed ones, cannot accomplish.

It is for those reasons that CAYEN must oppose this legislation and ask for your “no” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org. 

Sincerely,

Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator

[1] Armed School Resource Officers and the Safety of California’s Black and Latine(x) Youth: Policies and Recommendations (2024)

AB 0020 (DEMAIO) End Housing First – Oppose

February 28, 2025

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Chair, Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: OPPOSE AB 20 (DeMaio)

Dear Chair Bonta,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) respectfully opposes Assembly Bill 20 (DeMaio), a bill that would repeal and end the Housing First model. Housing First is a policy that addresses homelessness by addressing an individual’s primary social determinant of health, stable housing. This approach prioritizes housing regardless of an individual’s substance use, treatment history, or engagement in services. By providing permanent supportive housing for unhoused individuals, it ensures they have the foundation needed to address other determinants, leading to long-term positive health outcomes.

CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of youth action teams and a youth advisory board which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental and behavioral health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. This includes advocating for housing supports for the over 9,000 unaccompanied unhoused youth in California.[1]

The Housing First model is successful in reducing homelessness because it recognizes housing as a foundational support in someone’s health and wellness journey. When asked about their thoughts on ending Housing First, CAYEN Board member Caleb Merril, 24, explained that “The stability that housing provided, gave me the space to breathe and begin to see what I could achieve. Without that opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to truly focus on my recovery and build the foundation I needed to grow. Housing First works because it treats housing as a right, not something conditional on being ‘ready’. Everyone deserves the chance to find stability and safety, and dismantling this model would deny countless people the opportunity to heal and thrive, just as I have.”

It is for those reasons that CAYEN must oppose this legislation and ask for your “no” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org. 

Sincerely,

Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator

[1] HUD 2024 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs Homeless Populations and Subpopulations (2024)

Act Now to Help Save Over 9,700 Foster Children from Being Displaced by the FFA Insurance Crisis

October 2, 2024

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Act Now to Help Save Over 9,700 Foster Children from Being Displaced by the FFA Insurance Crisis

Dear Governor Newsom:

On behalf of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services (the CA Alliance), and the undersigned organizations, we request the Governor and its Administration to lead in finding a solution to prevent over 9,700 foster children under the care of Foster Family Agencies (FFAs) from being displaced by the FFA insurance crisis. If we don’t act now, FFAs could be forced to close their doors, leading to foster children potentially being uprooted from their home, school, community, healthcare provider, social worker, and current placements. We ask the Governor’s Office and Administration to work in collaboration with the CA Alliance to find solutions to the FFAs insurance crisis so they can continue to support parents working towards reunification, foster families, and the over 9,700 foster youth under their care.

Background on the CA Alliance & FFAs
The CA Alliance is a member association that represents over 160 nonprofit community-based organizations that provide behavioral health, child welfare, education, prevention, juvenile justice and other critical services to children, youth and families in public systems, including FFAs. Many of these services are provided through contracts with county public agencies and/or health plans.

FFAs play a crucial role in helping the Administration achieve its goals to reform the child welfare system. Counties rely on FFAs to help support the needs of foster children because FFAs specialize in serving medically fragile children, LGBTQ+ youth, older foster youth and children with higher needs. FFAs are trained to care for youth who have experienced abuse, exploitation, poverty, and racism and can offer services that counties do not have the capacity to provide.

There are nearly 45,000 children and youth in the California foster care system, the vast majority of whom have been separated from their parents due to neglect or abuse. Today, approximately 9,700 of those children are placed under the care of FFAs, which is nearly 1 in 5 foster youth. FFAs help to support family reunification efforts, which aim to safely return children in foster care to their biological families whenever possible and appropriate. This means FFAs work closely with birth families and offer parenting classes, substance abuse counseling, mental health services, and other resources designed to help parents or relatives create a safe and stable home environment. FFAs also assist with transporting and supervising visits between foster children and their relatives, which could be a few hours away.

When reunification is not possible, FFAs work to recruit foster parents and help them get certified to host foster children. FFAs also help to train foster families, and cover training expenses, so these families can properly support high-risk placements and ensure foster parents are well-prepared to handle the complexities of fostering. FFAs provide 24/7 on call assistance and help connect foster parents to social workers in moments of crisis, many times helping the family stabilize so they can continue offering foster children a safe home.

FFA Insurance Crisis
FFAs must be insured to be contracted to accept children and youth into their foster homes. Most insurers have left the market and no longer insure FFAs. A single insurance company, Nonprofits Insurance Alliance of California (NIAC) currently covers about 90% of all the FFAs in California. In June of this year, NIAC made the shocking announcement that it will be sending out notices of nonrenewal for coverages for all FFAs in the state of California.

This is forcing most FFAs to find alternative insurance, if it can be found, and if the FFA can afford the potential increased costs of a different insurance policy. These increased costs are not covered by the rates paid to FFAs, and therefore result in FFAs making difficult decisions, and in some cases, forcing them to close.

Impact of FFA Closures to the Child Welfare System
FFAs closing would result in California’s county welfare agencies needing to manage the placements of displaced foster children and youth. For foster children, being uprooted after finally settling into a family home is a devastating setback. It means starting from scratch in another new home, starting over with therapists and support specialists, even having to start a new school mid-year. Worse, it means losing their sense of stability. Multiple research studies show that the loss of a social worker alone can significantly disrupts the permanency process and severs yet another bond in a foster child’s life: with each loss of a social worker, the rate of achieving permanency for a foster youth drops dramatically from 74.5% with one social worker to less than 3% with three or more social workers. 1 FFAs help to create consistency in the lives of foster children.

If FFAs close, the lost capacity will mean that foster children will have a greater chance of being in unlicensed settings for long periods of time such as welcome centers, offices, hotels, and could even become homeless.

Action Needed to Prevent Displacing over 9,700 Foster Children
This crisis will not only impact the provision of FFAs that place children and youth with foster families, but also impact adoptions of children in foster care. FFAs who are dually licensed as adoption agencies are often contracted by counties to help children be adopted through foster care. In 2024, 30% of foster youth (6,505) were adopted out of foster care statewide, thanks in part to FFAs. We ask that the Governor’s Administration to work with the CA Alliance and FFAs to find solutions that help FFAs remain open, such as creating a pool of funds to help FFAs offset the higher insurance premiums and build a risk pool to avoid a future insurance crisis.

Should you require any additional information or documentation to process this change, please do not hesitate to contact Elizabeth Oseguera at eoseguera@cacfs.org. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

To view all signers, download the letter below.