The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has recently introduced “draft guidance” on the new Statewide Multi-Payer Fee Schedule For School Linked Services. This new fee schedule will replace the cumbersome Local Education Agency Medi-Cal Billing Option Program (known as LEA BOP) and streamlines the processes while removing the complexities and constraints associated with the LEA BOP. The new fee schedule will benefit schools in many ways, such as increasing student access to behavioral health services, providing a flat fee-for-services method that provides 100% reimbursement, and expanding the program to both Medi-Cal enrolled and commercially insured students. Most importantly, the new fee schedule will provide a permanent funding source to sustain behavioral health services for students. 

Current California budget deficits will likely impact most school districts' discretionary spending in 2024-25. However, it's also important to note that there are still several sources of one-time funding that could potentially support your school counseling program, enhance professional development, and bolster student services. 

We’ve created this California Funding for School Counseling document to provide a comprehensive list of these one-time grants, their respective deadlines, and the resource codes necessary to inquire about the remaining funds in your district. We recommend requesting a budget report for each of these resource codes from your business department so you can gain a clearer understanding of how your district is utilizing these funds and what is still available. With this knowledge, you'll be better equipped to advocate for these funds to be allocated to support your school counseling program.

Last year, the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) partnered with Hatching Results and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to create a six-part video series specifically designed for school administrators to better assist and support the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP). These short videos are set up in a talk-show format, hosted by ASWP Associate Director Kamrica Ary-Turner. Watch and learn useful tips and practical advice to implement as a school administrator, district lead, or school counselor. All six of the videos are available to the public and can be found on the ASWP Learning Lab.