SAN JOSE, CA – California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 483 (AB 483), which expands access to school-based health and mental health services by streamlining processes to encourage local educational agencies to participate in federal reimbursement for health and mental health services provided to students.
“Expanding access to mental and behavioral health services ensures students receive the support they need to be successful at school and in their communities,” said County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “We look forward to working with the state agencies to ensure AB 483 is implemented with fidelity and successfully brings additional federal funding to California’s public schools.”
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) supported the bill’s passage through participation in the labor-management coalition that led the advocacy to increase school-based behavioral health and wellness services.
With more than half of all children in California enrolled in Medi-Cal, the passage of AB 483 supports schools, districts and county offices of education in their efforts to provide health and mental health services to more students. Penalizing audits and excessive documentation requirements were barriers for schools. Assembly Bill 483 will ease burdens for local educational agencies to participate in the Local Educational Agency Billing Option Program (LEA BOP) and receive federal Medicaid reimbursement for health services provided to students eligible for Medi-Cal.
Since 2021, the Santa Clara County Board of Education prioritized youth wellness and supporting students’ mental health and wellness by expanding school-based programs and services. The board later adopted the Bill of Rights for Children & Young Adults for Santa Clara County at the April 19, 2023 meeting, which specifies health and mental health as important rights for decision-makers to consider when creating policies.
“The passage of AB 483 tells students their needs are important and we, as adults, are working to ensure that supports are accessible to all youth,” said Victoria Chon, Santa Clara County Board of Education President. “This will benefit students in our county.”
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. The SCCOE is a premier service organization driven by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and partnership. For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.