Budget Advocacy
Even before the pandemic, thousands of DC children struggled to access the behavioral health services they needed to thrive. That’s why our coalition has long advocated for the District to fully invest in the School-Based Behavioral Health Program (SBBH) to help meet children’s behavioral health needs. Learn more about what SBBH is and how it works.
FY25 Budget Advocacy
More than 40 local organizations - all members or partners of the Strengthening Families Through Behavioral Health Coalition submitted a letter to Mayor Bowser asking for critical investments in children’s behavioral health - and increase the reach and efficacy of the SBBH program - in the following ways:
Sustain compensation for SBBH’s community-based clinicians, with inflationary adjustments.
Provide compensation and develop guidance for the SBBH Coordinator role.
Pilot the addition of non-clinical staff positions to SBBH teams.
Invest in the development of a District-wide strategic plan for children’s behavioral health.
Prior Budget Advocacy
Read budget letters sent by the Strengthening Families Through Behavioral Health Coalition to the Mayor in the past several years.