The K-12 Behavioral Health Services Campaign is yli’s biggest and most ambitious statewide campaign yet. It brings together 5 yli offices and 3 of our partners to reach young people in the farthest corners of California to advocate for youth mental health.
The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that the seminal Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA – originally, the Mental Health Services Act, passed by California voters in 2004), is delivering on its promise to make sure that everyone has equitable access to behavioral healthcare – especially those who need it most. Funded by a one percent income tax on people making more than $1 million per year, the BHSA was designed to expand and transform California’s behavioral health system to better serve individuals with, and at risk of, serious mental health issues, and their families. This important policy makes this happen through a variety of channels – and one key channel is providing guidance and funding to counties to develop their own integrated mental health plans.
In 2025, California’s Behavioral Health Commission contracted with yli to recruit and train 8 youth advocacy teams across the state to investigate, report on and advocate for policy changes that will make the BHSA even more effective. Over the course of the next 3 years, these youth leaders will:
- Learn about the BHSA and how it is operating at the county and statewide levels
- Conduct community-based research to hear directly from youth about their experiences with behavioral health services
- Meet with local and state legislators to advocate for policy changes that improve access to mental health services for youth who need it most
yli’s offices include: Marin, San Mateo, Merced, Long Beach and the Eastern Coachella Valley. We will also be partnering with Two Feathers Native American Family Services in Humboldt County, PRO Youth & Families in Sacramento County, and the Ventura Office of Education in Ventura County.
Interested in applying?
Applications are closed for the 2025-2026 program year – they will open again in October of 2026. In the meantime, follow us on Instagram at @ylinstitute to stay updated about the program or contact María for more details at [email protected]. You can also reach out to the program leads where you live to learn more about how you can get involved with local efforts. See below for their contact information.
Far North Partnership – Two Feathers Native American Family Services
Amy Mathieson: [email protected]
Rudy García: [email protected] | 707-498-2090
North Bay/North Coast Collaborative – yli Marin
Laura Hay: [email protected]
Tatiana Villagomez Montalvo: [email protected]
Capital Central Foothill Areas – PRO Youth & Families
Alysa Caamal: [email protected]
Nick Soliz: [email protected]
Sydney Saiya: [email protected]
Bay Area Geographic Leads Consortium – yli San Mateo
Andrea Gil: [email protected]
Mid-State Collaborative – yli Merced
Susy Puente: [email protected]
Julissa Rivas: [email protected]
Eddy Nepomuceno-Vega: [email protected]
Valley to Coast Collaborative – Ventura Office of Education
Krista Roque: [email protected]
Candice Rizzie: [email protected]
Southern California System of Support – yli Eastern Coachella Valley
Olivia Rodriguez – [email protected]
Migdalia Sanchez – [email protected]
Los Angeles County – Long Beach
Mason Lam: [email protected]
Itzel Corrales: [email protected]