Historical Accomplishments, Current Projects, and Policy Resources
Historical Accomplishments
Seneca’s policy and advocacy achievements include but are not limited to:
- Conceptualizing and drafting the 1990 legislation to establish the first Intensive Treatment
Foster Care (now called Intensive Service Foster Care) program - Sponsoring the 1995 legislation that established what is today known as Wraparound in
California - Influencing and driving Continuum of Care Reform in 2015, which has ensured that more youth
in foster care are placed in home–based family care rather than group homes. - Developing and leading Todo Por Mi Familia, an ongoing nationwide effort to connect families
impacted by the Trump administration’s “Zero Tolerance” policy with mental health assessments
and treatment - Drafting and sponsoring legislation that created California’s Family Urgent Response System
(FURS) in 2019 - Conceptualizing and securing the Children’s Crisis Continuum grant program in the Governor’s
2021 state budget
Seneca’s Current Projects
Seneca is an active member of the California Child Welfare Council and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Equity Working Group. In recent months we have provided the state feedback on the roll out of the new Medi–Cal Mobile Crisis benefit.
Check back to see what current legislative efforts Seneca is actively supporting.
Current Major Behavioral Health Initiatives
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)
The state of California has made a $4.4 billion investment to enhance, expand and redesign the systems that support behavioral health services for children and youth. This initiative includes creating the new behavioral health coach role, a school–linked behavioral health services fee schedule, grants to expand Evidence Based Practices, and a behavioral health virtual services platform. CYBHI has recently issued their Youth at the Center Report, January 2023 Progress Report, and Working Paper: California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Ecosystem. To learn more about CYBHI, their upcoming webinars, and to watch their previous webinars, visit their website.
CalAIM
CalAIM is a long–term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi–Cal, offering Californians a more equitable, coordinated, and person–centered approach to maximizing their health and life trajectory. CalAIM reforms include: reducing documentation requirements for mental health providers; allowing youth who have experienced trauma to receive mental health services regardless of whether they have received a mental health diagnosis; and expanding services that address Social Determinants of Health. To learn more about all CalAIM initiatives, stay up to date on upcoming webinars and view past webinars, visit the CalAIM website.
If you are interested in engaging in discussions on child welfare, check out the Child Welfare Policy Roundtable.
Legislative Resources
To learn more about California’s legislative and budget cycle, check out the CA Alliance Legislative and Budget Training and California Budget and Policy Center. You can also look up your state representatives here.