(a) The department shall, no later than January 1, 2022, establish an Office of School-Based Health Programs for the purpose of assisting local educational agencies regarding the current health-related programs under the purview of the department. The scope of the office shall include collaborating with the State Department of Health Care Services and other departments and offices involved in the provision of school-based health services. The scope of the office shall also include assisting local educational agencies with information on, and participation in, the following school-based health programs:

(1) The Administrative Claiming process described in § 14132.47 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) The Local Educational Agency Medi-Cal Billing Option Program described in § 14132.06 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(3) All other programs under the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment services entitlement supporting the provision of health services to eligible pupils, including screening, diagnostic, and treatment services to prevent, identify, or address physical and behavioral health needs.

(4) Providing consultation and technical assistance to local educational agencies on school-based nursing and health services.

(5) Coordinating school health program activities with public health, social services, environmental, and local educational agencies, and other public and private entities.

(6) Participating in the development of policies, standards, and guidelines, interpreting updates, and disseminating policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures to enhance coordinated school health programs.

(7) Promoting quality assurance in school health services by initiating and coordinating a quality assurance program that includes needs assessment, data collection and analysis, and evidenced-based practices.

(8) Initiating, participating in, and using research studies related to a coordinated school health program, the health needs of children and youth, school nursing practice, and related issues.

(9) Additional school-based health efforts available to local educational agencies through the California Health and Human Services Agency and its offices and departments.

(b) The office shall advise the department on opportunities for effective coordination between health and education systems at the state, regional, and local levels to advance school-based health programs, and on strategies to leverage school-based Medi-Cal programs to sustain school-based health services.

(c) The office shall collaborate with the local educational agency selected to provide guidance around Medi-Cal billing pursuant to Section 49422.

(d) The office may provide technical assistance to local educational agencies on matters such as expanding services, simplifying the administration of school-based health programs, and increasing local educational agency participation in, and maximizing allowable federal financial participation in, the school-based health programs.

(e) The office shall assist in the development of the telehealth guidelines required pursuant to Section 49429.

(f) The office shall provide technical assistance, outreach, and informational materials to local educational agencies on allowable services and on the submission of claims. The office shall not otherwise provide informational materials related to the State Department of Health Care Services’ school-based health programs that have not been approved by the State Department of Health Care Services, as the State Department of Health Care Services is the sole state agency with authority from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to define allowable services and submit claims for federal matching funds.

(g) The office shall oversee the School Health Demonstration Project established pursuant to Section 49421.

(h) The office may form, or participate in, advisory groups for technical assistance and other purposes as deemed necessary.

(i) To the extent necessary, the State Department of Health Care Services shall make available to the office any information on other school-based dental, health, and mental health programs, and school-based health centers, that may receive Medi-Cal funding.

(j) (1) This section shall not prohibit the department from using an existing branch or division within the department to serve as the office, in lieu of establishing a new office, for purposes of implementing this section.

(2) This section shall not limit or modify § 14132.06 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 44, Sec. 61. (AB 130) Effective July 9, 2021.)