Policy Advocacy
The Strengthening Families Through Behavioral Health Coalition has long advocated for the District to fully invest in accessible, high quality, and consistent behavioral health services for children. On this page, learn more about our policy and budget advocacy and browse related resources.
FY2027 Budget Advocacy
These advocacy materials cover the coalition’s policy and budget priorities for FY2027, including advocating for sufficient funding for the SBBH program, youth crisis response services, and Healthy Futures, in addition to responding to DBH’s proposed comprehensive plan.
Proposed Comprehensive Plan
As part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Act of 2025, the DC Council required the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to submit a comprehensive plan outlining the Department's strategy for strengthening and improving the School Based Behavioral Health Program. On November 5th, 2025, the DC Council’s Committee on Health held a public roundtable on the comprehensive plan submitted by DBH.
Below are testimonies submitted by members of the Strengthening Families Through Behavioral Health Coalition for this roundtable, which outline concerns around DBH’s proposal. All testimonies can be found on the Council website.
The DC Behavioral Health Association also published three memos in response to DBH’s proposed comprehensive plan:
Prior Budget Advocacy
See budget letters and other budget advocacy materials from the Strengthening Families Through Behavioral Health Coalition over the last several years.