First Partner Siebel Newsom Conflates CA’s Historic Spending on Youth Mental Health With Results

“First Partner Siebel Newsom celebrates state’s historic investments in youth mental health at South LA’s Exposition Park, blasts the headline in an email from  Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.

We took care of that little glitch and rewrote the headline for them:

“First Partner Siebel Newsom Conflates CA’s Historic Spending on Youth Mental Health With Results”

When the state claims it is making an investment, buyer beware – the Newsom administration is spending money it does not have.

The email says:

What you need to know: Through the California Love, California Strong initiative, the First Partner alongside statewide partners highlighted the legacy and impact of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) while also expanding access to vibrant community spaces like Exposition Park and new efforts such as the California Youth Mental Health Career Pathways initiative.

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month yesterday.

Yesterday’s event convened young people and families from across Southern California for a day of connection, wellness, service, and access to resources, underscoring California’s commitment to ensuring every young person can access the support they need to thrive and feel a sense of belonging.

That means nothing… a day of connection, wellness, service, and access to resources… What?

“First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom led a youth-centered panel highlighting how young people, behavioral health professionals, and community leaders are supporting mental health across California. Attendees participated in activities encouraging movement, reflection, and connection, while also engaging in a resource fair promoting statewide youth mental health programs like Soluna, BrightLife Kids and CalHOPE.”

These people talk in cliches – they are “meeting young people where they are:”

“Since 2021, the Legislature and Administration have made CYBHI possible through more than $4 billion in state investment. CYBHI has represented a historic investment to transform California’s youth behavioral health system by expanding access to mental health and substance use services and meeting young people where they are.”

Who has been helped? What is the treatment? How do they measure success?

It’s all spending.

“The Legislature and Administration have made CYBHI possible through more than $4 billion in state investment.”

They provide numbers but the numbers aren’t attached to any meaningful services or outcomes:

Through a partnership with the California Department of Health and Human Services (CalHHS), CYBHI has connected youth to crucial mental health support, increased early intervention services, and invested in a stronger behavioral health workforce:

• More than 500,000 children, youth, and families have received support through digital behavioral health services like Soluna and BrightLife Kids, launched just over two years ago.
• More than 70,000 individuals have been supported along their professional journey, from high-school students learning about mental health topics in a summer academy to doctors receiving loan repayments to serve in the public sector. This includes over 4,000 individuals who have joined California’s newest behavioral health profession as Certified Wellness Coaches.
• More than 1,600 organizations are conducting over 2,000 activities across the state to advance this behavioral health transformation

But hey, over 4,000 individuals are now a part of California’s newest behavioral health profession as “Certified Wellness Coaches.”

And to become a certified wellness coach, you don’t need an advanced degree. According to the State, through the California Department ofHealth Care Access and Information:

“the Certified Wellness Coach role is an entry-level opportunity for people who have associate and bachelor’s degrees. This addresses gaps in the behavioral health field.”

“If you are a California Community College, California State University, or private non-profit university that offers degrees in human services, social work, addiction studies, or related fields, your organization is eligible to become a designated education program.”

Notably, the California Department ofHealth Care Access and Information is a new program created by the Newsom administration in 2021:

The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) announces a new chapter in our history.

With Governor Gavin Newsom signing the 2021-2022 Budget and trailer bills, OSHPD becomes the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). The Governor’s budget recognized that OSHPD’s growing portfolio made it time for the office to become a department.

Other changes included the integration of the State Office of Rural Health and the J-1 Visa Waiver Program on July 1.

Still under consideration during this legislative session is the Office of Healthcare Affordability, which was proposed in the Governor’s budget.

And, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced “the launch of the Exposition Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community development, infrastructure, and programming at Exposition Park, a 160-acre, state-owned urban park in the heart of Los Angeles.”

It’s says “through public-private partnerships, the Foundation seeks to support Exposition Park in its efforts to serve residents and global visitors by investing in sustainable infrastructure, job creation and regional economic impacts that will improve climate resilience, health and wellness, air quality, and provide accessibility to green spaces.”

They just keep creating new non-profits, hoping we won’t catch up to them.

“California Love, California Strong aims to strengthen a deeper sense of belonging across the Golden State through self care, service, and social connection. Launched earlier this year, this initiative brings together Californians to build community and resilience amidst the fight against loneliness and isolation.”

Which means nothing.