Position Category: CAYEN

AB 2142 (Haney) Therapy in Correctional Facilities – Support

March 28, 2024

The Honorable Kevin McCarty
Chair, Assembly Committee on Public Safety
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 111
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: Support for AB 2142 (Haney)  

Dear Assemblymember McCarty,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 2142 (Haney), legislation which would create a pilot program at select prisons to ensure that behavioral health therapy is accessible to incarcerated people who do not have a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) severe mental health disorder classification. As a result, this bill would increase access to behavioral health services to individuals not currently eligible to receive them.   

The California Youth Empowerment Network 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.  Everyone, even TAY who are justice involved, has a right to mental or behavioral health services that could prevent self-harm, improve wellness, and reduce recidivism.

In a 2022 CDCR report, 5% of incarcerated individuals who died by suicide were aged 18 to 25.[1] This percentage rises to 57% among those aged 25 to 44. Prevention and early intervention services can play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of suicide among justice-involved individuals, especially considering that 65% of suicides occur within the first 10 years of incarceration. Therefore, enhancing access to mental and behavioral health services will benefit individuals’ long term and reduce the number of suicides.  

Additionally, 75% of serious mental health challenges begin before the age of 25.[2] Given that incarcerated TAY often have a history that includes Adverse Childhood Experiences and other trauma, it is essential that mental health services be made available and accessible to incarcerated TAY who request those services.

For these reasons, we support AB 2142 and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

[1] 2022 annual report on suicides and suicide prevention … (n.d.). https://cchcs.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2022-Annual-Report.pdf  

[2] California, S. of. (2024, March 21). Early psychosis intervention plus. MHSOAC. https://mhsoac.ca.gov/initiatives/early-psychosis-intervention-plus/

AB 2051(Bonta) PSYPACT – Support

March 18, 2024

The Honorable Marc Berman

Chair, Assembly Committee on Business and Professions
1020 N Street, Room 379
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 2051(Bonta)

Dear Assemblymember Barman,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 2051 (Bonta), legislation that would establish California as a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). This compact would allow a psychologist licensed in a state that has joined PSYPACT, to practice telepsychology in other PSYPACT states even if they may not be licensed in that specific state.

The California Youth Empowerment Network (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. One area of focus is increasing mental health services and reducing the barriers that make them inaccessible.

Accessing mental health services can be highly challenging for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) pursuing higher education. Each year, tens of thousands of students relocate to and from California for college, disrupting their access to mental health providers. Varied licensure standards across states hinder telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state borders, leaving students and other populations unable to receive care from their preferred providers. AB 2051 aims to dismantle this obstacle by permitting psychologists, authorized through an “E.Passport” from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to practice telepsychology across state lines.

Given that over 40 states are already part of PYSPACT, mental health providers in California could broaden their telepsychology practice. Additionally, individuals residing in member states would maintain access to services from their preferred and trusted providers. For these reasons we support AB 2051 (Ramos) and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org.

Sincerely

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator

AB 2007 (Boerner)Transitional Housing for Homeless Youth – Support

April 12, 2024 

The Honorable Alex Lee

Chair, Committee on Human Services
California State Assembly 
1020 N Street, Room 124
Sacramento, CA 95814 

RE: Support for AB 2007

Dear Chair Lee,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2007 (Boerner), legislation which upon appropriation by the Legislature would establish the Unicorn Homes Transitional Housing for Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth Program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 18 to 14.

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.

We recognize housing as a crucial element in fostering a supportive environment for a youth’s recovery and wellness. This is especially important for our transitional age youth, ages 15 to 26, as 75% of mental health disorders manifest by age 24.[1] AB 2007 aims to support our homeless LGBTQ+ transitional age youth who have additionally experienced an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) of parental abandonment and neglect, with safe and stable housing. 

In addition to housing, this bill aims to support the youth in addressing their adverse experiences with their families, in hopes of reunifying them. For these reasons, we support AB 2002 (Boerner). 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.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul

Public Policy Coordinator

California Youth Empowerment Network

[1] California, S. of. (2024a, March 21). Early psychosis intervention plus. Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission . https://mhsoac.ca.gov/initiatives/early-psychosis-intervention-plus/

AB 456 (MAIENSCHEIN) CSU Mental Health Hotlines – Support

March 28, 2023

The Honorable Brian Maienschein
State Assembly
1021 O St., Suite 8320
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support – AB 456 (Maienschein)

Dear Assembly Member Maienschein:

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to Support AB 456 (Maienschein), which would require California State University (CSU) and California Community Colleges (CCC) campuses and request University of California (UC) campuses to establish a campus mental health hotline.

The California Youth Empowerment Network (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.  

CAYEN members know firsthand how providing mental health services and supports, both on and off campus improves student success and student behavioral health. Between 2018 and 2020 the suicide rate for youth ages 15-24 in California was 8.7 per 100,000. We must do everything we can to reduce these startling statistics. While many campuses already provide mental health services and supports, some campuses do not provide mental health services, leaving many students without a support system during a time of crisis.

Assembly Bill 456 works close the equity gap, ensuring every student will have access to mental health supports in a time of crisis. We believe that this bill empowers our Transitional Age Youth to better live their lives and promote a community of self-care. 

For these reasons, we SUPPORT AB 456. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul

Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

SB 326 (EGGMAN) Behavioral Health Services Act – Proposed Amendments

July 13, 2023

Submitted via Web Portal and E-mail

Assembly Member Jim Wood, Chair
Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: SB 326 (Eggman) Proposed Amendments

Dear Assembly Member Wood:

The California Youth Empowerment Network requests the following amendment detailed below to SB 326, the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). The California Youth Empowerment Network (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.

We have included in our submission a separate, red-lined markup of the Word Document for Amendments including the requested amendment. Justification for the requested amendment is as follows:

Page 66. Amend Section 5845 to include two Transition Age Youth (TAY) aged 16-26 at the time of appointment on the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission

5848. (a) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission is hereby established to administer grants, identify key policy issues and emerging best practices, and promote high-quality programs implemented pursuant to Section 5892 through the examination of data and outcomes.

(b) (1) The commission shall replace the advisory committee established pursuant to Section 5814.

(2) The commission shall consist of 22 voting members as follows:

(A) The Attorney General or the Attorney General’s designee.

(B) The Superintendent of Public Instruction or the Superintendent’s designee.

(C) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Human Services, or another member of the Senate selected by the President pro Tempore of the Senate. Page 2 of 2

(D) The Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Health or another Member of the Assembly selected by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(E) A county behavioral health director.

(F) (i) The following individuals, all appointed by the Governor:

(I) One adult or older adult who has or who has had a serious mental illness.

(II) One adult or older adult who has or who has had a substance use disorder.

(III) Two Transition Age Youth ages 16-26 at the time of appointment to the Commission.

(IV) A family member of an adult or older adult with a serious mental illness.

Justification: The voices of our TAY with lived experience are essential to the BHSOAC. Additionally, family members should never outnumber people with lived experience on boards or commissions. TAY with lived experience possess unique and vital knowledge that is separate and distinct from the knowledge possessed by family members.

Currently, SB 326 includes 4 family members and 2 individuals with lived experience. CAYEN recommends that there be two additional people with lived experience on the BHSOAC, and these members should be Transition Age Youth (TAY). Half of the family representation in SB 326 is parents of children and youth. This is because the needs and experiences of children and youth with behavioral health challenges are very different than the needs and experiences of adults. When parents are represented, TAY should be equally represented to complement the family perspectives. Youth and young adults on commissions are often subject to tokenism. To avoid tokenism, it is essential that at least two TAY serve on the BHSOAC to provide support and encourage dialogue.

CAYEN is grateful for the opportunity to offer the suggested amendment to SB 326 to strengthen TAY representation within the BHSA. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

SB 997(Portantino) Pupil Health: opioid antagonists and fentanyl test strips – Support

March 15, 2024 

The Honorable Josh Newman
Chair, Senate Committee on Education 
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Room 6740
Sacramento, CA  95814 

Re: Support for Senate Bill 997 (Portantino) 

Dear Senator Newman,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support SB 997 (Portantino), legislation which would permit middle school and high school students to carry federally approved opioid antagonist medicines, such as Narcan, while they are on campus. Additionally, SB 997 requires middle schools and high schools to stock fentanyl testing strips and notify students of their location.

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.  We support the implementation of harm reduction policies that will reduce the use and effects of substance use. SB 997 calls for the implementation of measures to deter the rising rate of opioid related deaths among middle school and high school students. If students are engaging in drugs, the focus is to ensure safe use that avoids potential death from substance use.

Fentanyl, an opioid that proves to be up to 50 times more intense than Heroin, is one of the overarching drugs driving the rate of drug related overdoses in California and the United States.1 When laced, Fentanyl is undetectable unless a fentanyl test strip is utilized. In the case of an opioid overdose, Naloxone, which is available to purchase over the counter, can help counteract its effects. As reported by the California Department of Public Health, the state of California carries a total of 7,000 opioid related deaths, with Fentanyl being the culprit of 88% of the deaths.2 LA County reported the highest rates of Fentanyl overdose deaths in impoverished communities.3

Senate Bill 997 would allow middle school and high schools to adopt policy guidelines that allow students to carry opioid reversal medication. Additionally, it requires public schools to provide and communicate the access of Fentanyl testing strips. For these reasons we support SB 997 (Portantino) and request 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. 

Sincerely,  

Danny Thirakul 

Public Policy Coordinator

SB 274 (SKINNER) Suspensions and Expulsions: Willful Defiance, Interventions and Support – Support

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
California State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, California 95814

RE: Senate Bill 274 (Skinner), Suspensions and Expulsions: Willful Defiance, Interventions and Support– Request for Signature

Dear Governor Newsom:

On behalf of the California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN), I am writing in strong support of Senate Bill (SB) 274, which seeks to improve student success rates, create a more supportive academic environment, eliminate suspensions and expulsions for tardiness, truancy, or students otherwise absent, and encourage schools to consider alternatives to suspensions and expulsions by extending the “willful defiance” sunset for students (grades 6- 8th) and extending the prohibition of those suspensions to students (8-12th) through 2029. SB 274 aims to keep California students in schools while protecting the most vulnerable student populations from harmful and discriminatory school climates.

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. One area of interest is how we support and engage youth with mental and behavioral health needs in learning institutions.

“Willful defiance” is broadly defined as defying the authority of school staff. Some examples of “defiance” include wearing a hat, not having a belt, or falling asleep in class. Defiance suspensions contribute to racial inequality in schools and are detrimental to the academic and personal development of our transitional age youth.

Students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ students are disproportionately suspended for low-level subjective behavioral disruptions, classified as “willful defiance”. These suspensions cause students to lose significant instruction time. Data made available by the California Department of Education shows Black students are suspended 3 times more than White students for defiance. Black and Latino boys in special education are 6% of students in California, yet they account for 16% of defiance suspensions across the State.

The simple act of ending willful defiance suspensions for all public-school children recognizes the unique developmental vulnerabilities of youth, especially youth of color and youth with disabilities, by creating a school environment where every child can learn, thrive, and succeed. Our education system is meant to challenge our youth to think critically, independently, and seek truth. To suspend our youth for willful defiance such as “talking back” does not provide learning opportunities. In fact, research demonstrates that suspending students for any reason increases the likelihood that the student will have future involvement with the justice system. Research also shows that positive behavior intervention, support models, and restorative justice are more effective than suspension at managing behavioral expression.

For these reasons, we respectfully request your signature for SB 274. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or Mental Health America of California’s Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,
Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

SB 641 (ROTH) The Naloxone Distributuin Project – Support

September 29, 2023

Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Support SB 641 (Roth)

Dear Governor Newsom,

As organizations and individuals working on the frontlines of California’s opioid crisis, we are writing to request you sign Senate Bill 641 (Roth) into law to save lives by expanding the availability of overdose reversal medications through California’s Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP).

As you are aware, opioid-related deaths in California have skyrocketed in the past several years. Between 2019 and 2021 overdose deaths increased by 121%. Nearly 6,000 Californians succumbed to synthetic opioid overdose between 2019 and 2022. The weight of this loss on families and loved ones throughout the state is incalculable.

While state and federal law enforcement agencies work diligently to stop the flow of opioids across our borders and through our streets, newer, more deadly types of synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, are driving unprecedented overdose deaths. In addition, synthetic opioids are being mixed with recreational drugs like cannabis, cocaine, and other stimulants, placing a larger population unknowingly at risk than in the past.

While statewide distribution of the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone through NDP has reversed nearly 182,000 opioid overdoses in California since the program’s inception in 2018, it’s time for the project to be updated to include access to newer opioid reversal medication formulations that can address the ever-changing nature of the opioid epidemic in communities throughout California.

SB 641 will allow newer FDA-approved overdose reversal medications that can address overdose from the broader, more complex range of synthetic opioids we are seeing to be added to the NDP. Passage of this critical legislation will give first responders and community organizations the additional tools they need to effectively fight opioid-related deaths in their communities. For these reasons, we strongly urge your signature for SB 641.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Bergman
Co-Founder & Executive Director
A New PATH

Robb Layne
Executive Director
California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives

Sherry Daley Government Affairs & Corporate Communications Director California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals

Le Ondra Clark Harvey
Chief Executive Officer
California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies
Executive Director California Access Coalition

Cory M. Salzillo
Legislative Director
California State Sheriffs’ Association

Teri Holoman
Associate Executive Director
California Teachers Association

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

Carl Baker
Director of Legal & Legislative Affairs
DAP Health

Deacon Jim Vargas
CEO
Father Joe’s Village

Henry N. Tuttle
President & CEO
Health Center Partners of Southern California

Jeanne McAlister
Chief Executive Officer
McAlister Institute

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

Scott Suckow
Chairman
Patient Advocates United in San Diego County

SB 680 (SKINNER) Social Media Safety for Youth – Support

June 20, 2023

Senator Nancy Skinner
California State Senate
021 O Street, Suite 8630
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for Senate Bill 680 (Skinner)

Dear Senator Skinner,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support your bill, SB 680, which would prohibit social media platforms to knowingly or carelessly cause children to inflict harm on themselves or others, develop an eating disorder, or experience addiction to their platforms. In addition, the bill would fine platforms accordingly for failure to comply or for harm caused.

The California Youth Empowerment Network (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. The increasing use and impact of social media platforms have made this bill a priority for our youth.

We oppose the dangerous algorithms of social media platforms that direct users, including children and youth, to harmful content. Youth’s accessibility to weapons, substances, and other dangerous content via social media platforms has proven to be life threatening. Senate Bill 680 takes a bold step to hold social media platforms accountable for their part in intermediating illegal activity and life-threatening youth trends.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that children in the U.S. ages eight to 10 spend an average of six hours per day in front of a screen; kids ages 11 to 14 spend an average of nine hours per day in front of a screen; and youth ages 15 to 18 spend an average of seven-and-ahalf hours per day in front of a screen, with much of that time viewing social media content. Research has revealed that the intentional design of these social media platforms –design that uses artificial intelligence to maximize “user engagement” — causes addiction to the platform, particularly for children.

This bill prohibits a social media platform from causing child users to:

  • Inflict harm on themselves or others;
  • Develop an eating disorder;
  • Experience addiction to the social media platform.

Harm is defined in this bill as physical, mental, or emotional as indeed, we know that children have suffered a variety of harms from social media platforms’ designs, algorithms, and features. This bill limits enforcement to public prosecutors and offers a “safe harbor” from all liability to any platform that audits its practices quarterly and voluntarily ceases those that cause the harms listed above.

For these reasons, we support Senate Bill 680. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

AB 275 (WARD) Pupil Compensation – Support

June 7, 2023

The Honorable Christopher M. Ward
California State Assembly
1021 O St., Suite 8320
acramento, CA 95814

RE: Assembly Bill 275

Dear Assembly Member Ward:

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 275 (Ward), which will allow school district boards and county boards of education to provide compensation to student members by offering a stipend for their work.

The California Youth Empowerment Network (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 an organization that is run for TAY by TAY, we know that representation matters, specifically youth representation. As a society we elect members of our community to represent us in government and we compensate them for their time. Student members have a constituency and unique knowledge and are chosen to advocate and inform on decisions regarding the youth perspective. This requires time, outreach, and research. Board members are compensated for the work they do within the scope of their position. Our youth should be equally compensated for the same work.

For these reasons, we support Assembly Bill 275. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network