Impact Across California
Statewide Advocacy with CAYEN’s TAY Action Teams (TATs)
We have partnered with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) to support over 20 TAY Action Teams (TATs) across California. We train each team to understand the basic principles of local and statewide behavioral health advocacy so that they can identify and advocate for the needs of youth in their communities. Check out the different teams we’ve worked with by clicking on one of our advocacy years below where you can learn more about their advocacy goals!
State of the Community Reports
These reports were prepared as an account of work sponsored by the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), but does not necessarily represent the views of the MHSOAC or any of its employees except to the extent, if any, that it has formally been approved by the MHSOAC. For information regarding any such action, communicate directly with the MHSOAC at 1812 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811-7102. Neither the MHSOAC nor the State of California, nor any officer or employee thereof, or any of its contractors or subcontractors makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability whatsoever for the contents of this document. Nor does any party represent that use of the data contained herein, would not infringe upon privately owned rights without obtaining permission or authorization from any party who has any rights in connection with the data.
I AM Collaborative
CAYEN was recently awarded $1 million from Elevate Youth California to drive youth activism, mentoring, and peer support to prevent youth substance disorder (SUD)! We have begun working with our first cohort of youth leaders during September 2022 in Sacramento with the following goals:
Elevate leaders amongst underserved communities of color, unhoused, and LGBTQ+ youth
Empower youth to identify community-defined solutions for preventing SUDs
Provide alternatives to criminalization
Statewide Committees/Advisory Groups
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Cal-HHS The California Department of Health & Human ServicesS
Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF)
Address CA's urgent mental health & substance use disorder needs
Advise Administration’s efforts to advance statewide behavioral health (BH) services, prevention, & early intervention
Develop recommendations for the Governor about how CA can provide timely access to high-quality behavioral health care
Inform development & implementation of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a $4.4 Billion investment to transform and expand CA's children and youth BH system
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The Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission
Anti-Bullying Advisory Committee
Identify how to invest $5 million designated by the State of California to develop a proposal that responds to the threats and risks facing young people linked to bullying and hate speech.
This proposal will build upon a social media foundation to reach children, youth, and young adults across California with appropriate resources.
CAYEN TAY leadership, including staff and youth from our TAY Action Teams, currently sit on this committee.
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CA Department of Social Services
Peer Partner Backbone Committee
Bring together CDSS staff and individuals with lived experience to create equitable and inclusive standards for centering individuals with lived experience in CDSS decision making
Identify processes for creating culture change that will enable CDSS staff to embrace this vision
Led by Youth Partners, Parent Partners, and others with lived experience who want to lead change
