WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The First Partner, through her California for ALL Kids initiative, visited a Los Angeles high school to highlight the importance of resources and support for youth mental health, the broader supports and care she and Governor Newsom have championed to better the lives of California kids, and the additional resources for families through her non-profit: California Partners Project.
May 7, 2024 - LOS ANGELES — Yesterday, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom visited Hollywood High School to participate in a roundtable and town hall discussion with students, parents, and educators about youth mental health and the challenges families face while navigating the ongoing crisis. The event, which was held in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the California Partners Project, and the Child Mind Institute, helped kick-off Mental Health Awareness Month, closed out Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, and served as an important reminder of the state’s innovative, accessible, and inclusive strategy to support Californians’ mental health across the state.
“Today’s youth and parents face a deluge of unique pressures – balancing the ubiquity of digital media and time on screens, economic and social pressures, rising environmental crises, and more. California recognizes these challenges and we’re investing in programs and services to support California families.”First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom
BIGGER PICTURE: California has invested billions in the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a cornerstone of Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health. The CYBHI includes robust investments in mental health and wraparound services for young people and are designed to meet Californians where they are – which includes extensive support for schools, educators and the children they serve. Some of these include:
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Two online behavioral health services platforms (apps): BrightLife Kids and Soluna, offering free coaching services with behavioral health wellness coaches, a library of multimedia resources, wellness exercises, and peer communities moderated by trained behavioral health professionals.
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Free video and print resources: California Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids, which provides parents and caregivers with practical, evidence-based information and skills to address the most common parenting challenges; and California Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids, which caregivers and educators can use to teach their kids critical mental health and coping skills.
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A youth suicide prevention campaign called, Never A Bother.
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The launch of a new profession – Certified Wellness Coaches – as an early-career opportunity to provide care to young people through prevention and early intervention services.
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An Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress campaign – Live Beyond – to provide awareness and understanding of ACEs and strategies to promote healing.
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A free online training for educators and early care providers – Safe Spaces – to provide the tools to recognize and respond to trauma and stress in kids.
In addition, the California Partners Project recently released 10 Tech Tips, a precursor to a four-part series of reports and guides with information and tools to empower parents and caregivers as they navigate a rapidly evolving technological landscape with their children.
Source: Office of the Governor