Growing up as a foster child, I often moved between homes. Frequent moves between homes can cause disrupted access to doctors, therapists, and cause untreated conditions to worsen. Imagine the struggles of numerous others like me, potentially living under the same circumstances facing barriers to healthcare. This is why we must pass Assembly Bill 322 - for the sake of our students' holistic well-being. AB 322 would help provide continuity of care, ensuring young people don't fall through the cracks. 

Assembly Bill 322 focuses on the enhancement of pupil health by extending school-based health and mental health services. It goes beyond academics and adds a human element to our education system. This bill encourages districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to play a significant role in shaping the future of our children. 

It proposes participating in "Health Days" aiming to provide screenings and referrals for common health problems and education on illness prevention, proper nutrition, and other aspects of good health. The bill also mandates the California Department of Education (CDE) to encourage local educational agencies (LEAs)—including school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools—to participate in programs that offer reimbursement for school-based health and mental health services. This includes programs like the Medi-Cal Billing Option Program and the statewide fee schedule for school-linked outpatient mental health or substance use disorder treatments.​ The American Academy of Pediatrics identifies 15% of children between 3 and 17 years in America dealing with one or more developmental disorders, as evidenced by Science Daily in 2019. This makes the implementation of the bill even more urgent for our young population's healthy development.

This Bill offers the promise of a more robust support system for students' physical and mental health, exactly when and where they need it the most - at school. Research documented by the School-Based Health Alliance indicates that students with access to consistent on-site health services demonstrate lower dropout rates and improved overall school performance. Whether you're a parent or an empathetic community member, this cause resonates with us all. Please sign this petition and support the passage of Assembly Bill 322 for the betterment of our students. Together, we can create a healthier, happier future for our children.