Board approves wellness coach job and MOU to expand school wellness centers and billing under CYBHI

The Santa Rosa City Schools Board voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with CSEA and a job description for a new Wellness Coach I classification aimed at staffing school wellness centers and expanding school‑based behavioral health supports.

Why it matters: the wellness coach position and related MOU are intended to allow the district to provide integrated mental‑health supports in school wellness centers and to qualify services for fee‑for‑service reimbursement under the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) and other third‑party payers without affecting families’ out‑of‑pocket costs.

What was approved: trustees approved the CSEA Chapter 75 MOU and the Wellness Coach I job description after staff described the role as a pathway to expand services and to tap federal, state and third‑party reimbursements. The district said the CYBHI fee schedule and related capacity grants could offset part of the cost; a transitional employer support grant of roughly $69,500 per coach for next year was described as bridging funding while billing ramps up. The district has contracted with a vendor (TAD Health) to handle billing workflows.

Trustee discussion and vote: trustees asked detailed questions about sustainability, billing mechanics and whether the fee reimbursements would become local revenue; staff said reimbursements would appear as local revenue and that billing initially depends on families supplying insurance data for students. Trustee Medina moved the item; roll call recorded unanimous board approval (student board member and all trustees voting aye).

Voices at the meeting: Director Lafshey described wellness centers as a “force multiplier” enabling clinicians to serve groups, peer supports and quiet or activity spaces in addition to individual therapy; he said the CYBHI structure is intended to reduce administrative barriers and reimburse schools for services within 30–45 days. Dr. Morales and other staff said the wellness coaches could be a career pathway for staff affected by reductions and could be deployed in wellness centers across secondary campuses and, if funded, in family resource centers at elementary campuses.

Next steps: the district will proceed with hiring under the approved MOU, continue CYBHI onboarding and pursue the related capacity and community‑schools grants that staff said would help sustain and expand services. Staff warned the program will require a multi‑year campaign to collect medical insurance information from families to maximize reimbursements.