California School-Based Health Alliance

What California School-Based Health Alliance does

California School-Based Health Alliance (CSHA) is a statewide non-profit organization founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oakland, California, dedicated to advancing the health and academic success of children and youth by supporting school-based health centers (SBHCs) and wellness centers (WCs) across California. CSHA does not operate its own clinics; rather, it functions as a convener, technical assistance provider, and advocacy body for the network of 427 SBHCs/WCs serving 217 Local Education Agencies and approximately 440,000 students. Its deliverables are primarily knowledge products — including the Vision to Reality toolkit, Student Health Index, HIPAA/FERPA California guide, Behavioral Health Implementation Guide, Wellness Center Resources, Screenings Toolkit, and CYBHI Fee Schedule — distributed via a free online resource library, newsletters, webinars, and an annual conference.

The organization operates a membership-based, community-led go-to-market model. Revenue is derived from three streams: grants and philanthropic funding, membership dues (organizations pay for technical assistance, discounted conference access, and member calls), and donations. Distribution to schools and providers is executed through three regional coalitions (Central Valley, Inland Empire, Northern California), a Youth Board and Y2Y summit, and strategic partnerships with FQHCs, county behavioral health departments, school districts, hospitals, ECM providers (Full Circle Health Network, Pacific Clinics, Seneca Center, Fred Finch), and health plans such as Kaiser Permanente and Inland Empire Health Plan. CSHA's value proposition centers on placing primary care, behavioral health, dental, and optometry services on school campuses to remove transportation and cost barriers, with research citing reduced emergency room utilization and improved academic outcomes for SBHC users.

Operationally, CSHA runs with 11–50 employees and a leadership team headed by Executive Director Tracy Macdonald Mendez. The organization is privately held with no parent company, subsidiaries, or M&A activity disclosed, and is funded entirely through grants, dues, and donations. Its strategic posture is mission-driven expansion: growing the SBHC/WC footprint toward a stated goal of 500 centers by 2030, deepening regional coalition activity, and aligning programmatic resources with California-specific Medi-Cal reforms including CalAIM Enhanced Care Management and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI).

Name

California School-Based Health Alliance

Legal name

California School-Based Health Alliance

Website

https://schoolhealthcenters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

California School-Based Health Alliance (CSHA) is a statewide Oakland-based nonprofit founded in 1995 that supports 427 school-based health and wellness centers across California, serving 217 school districts and 440,000+ students through advocacy, technical assistance, toolkits, and regional coalitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

School-Based Health Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

School-Based Health Centers (HLAFAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Promotion, Prevention & Wellness Education (EDALAFAF), School & Campus Public Health Departments (HLAJAAAG), Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG), District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ)

Keywords

• School-based health services
• Youth health advocacy
• Wellness center resources
• Behavioral health support
• Community health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Philanthropic Funding: CSHA operates as a statewide nonprofit organization that relies on grants from government agencies and private foundations to fund its operations and programs supporting school-based health centers.
2. Membership Dues: Organizations can become members to receive technical assistance, discounted conference registration, and access to regular member calls. Membership fees support the organization's sustainability.
3. Donations: The organization accepts donations to support development of resources like the Vision to Reality guide and other tools for expanding school health.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CSHA is a statewide nonprofit that supports the planning, establishment, operation, and sustainability of school-based health centers (SBHCs) and wellness centers (WCs) in California. It delivers this through technical assistance, advocacy, training, regional coalitions, an annual conference, webinars, and a library of resource toolkits and guides (including the Vision to Reality Toolkit, Student Health Index, HIPAA FERPA Guide, Student Behavioral Health Implementation Guide, Wellness Center Resources, Screenings Toolkit, and CYBHI Fee Schedule). Its primary customers are K-12 schools, school districts, health providers, county behavioral health agencies, and community organizations across California.

Product overview

California School-Based Health Alliance is a statewide non-profit organization that provides resources, guidance, and technical assistance to advance school-based health centers (SBHCs) and wellness centers in California. Rather than offering a unified software product, CSHA operates as a resource and advocacy organization that provides an extensive library of toolkits, guides, and training materials including the Vision to Reality Toolkit for starting SBHCs/WCs, the Student Health Index for identifying impact areas, the HIPAA FERPA Guide for data privacy compliance, the Student Behavioral Health Implementation Guide, Wellness Center Resources, Screenings Toolkit, and CYBHI Fee Schedule resources. These resources support school administrators, health providers, behavioral health professionals, and community organizations in planning, implementing, and sustaining school health services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vision to Reality Toolkit A comprehensive A-Z guide for starting and sustaining a school-based health center or wellness center, covering community planning, youth engagement, health center structure and staffing, funding, licensing, regulations, operations, facilities, and evaluation. Targeted at California schools, school districts, health providers, and community organizations planning new SBHCs/WCs.
• Student Health Index A resource providing county, district, and school-level health and education indicators to help California schools, districts, and community organizations identify where school-based health centers can have the most impact.
• HIPAA FERPA Guide A California guide for sharing student health and education information, helping schools and health providers understand HIPAA, FERPA, and California medical confidentiality laws when operating SBHCs/WCs.
• Student Behavioral Health Implementation Guide A comprehensive guide supporting local education agencies and county behavioral health departments to deliver comprehensive school mental health services, organized around critical topics and challenges.
• Wellness Center Resources Resources for behavioral health-focused wellness centers in schools, including implementation guidance, staffing models, space design, and operational best practices.
• Planning for School-Based Health Center or Wellness Center High-level planning activities and guidance for establishing new school-based health and wellness centers, including forming planning committees, conducting health gap analyses, and identifying funding strategies.
• School Health Integration Resources Resources on integrating school health services and SBHC/WC programs into school communities, including core principles of integration and an Integration Quick Guide.
• Screenings Toolkit Resources for implementing health screenings in schools using evidence-based screening tools to identify students experiencing or at risk for physical and behavioral health challenges.
• CYBHI Fee Schedule Resource Information on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) fee schedule for school-linked behavioral health services, supporting sustainable reimbursement for school-based behavioral health services.
• Substance Use Resources Resources on substance use prevention and intervention, including SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment), vaping, tobacco, cannabis, and naloxone distribution guidance.
• Mandated Services Resources Resources on required health services for California students, including immunizations, vision and hearing screenings, special education services, medication administration, and tuberculosis screening.
• Annual CSHA Conference Annual in-person conference bringing together California school health professionals for learning, networking, and showcasing SBHC/WC best practices. The next conference is scheduled for April 28-30, 2027 at San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront.
• Technical Assistance and Training Program Direct technical assistance and training services for California schools, districts, and health providers operating or planning SBHCs/WCs, including 1:1 consultations and an on-demand webinar library.
• CSHA Membership Program Annual membership for organizations that provides technical assistance, discounted conference registration, and access to regular member calls supporting SBHC/WC operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research shows SBHCs increase access to health care and users are more likely to use primary care consistently
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025IEHP hosted the 2025 Inland Empire School-Based Health Symposium, bringing together health and education professionals to advance school health in the Inland Empire region.
• Community Health Centers (FQHCs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers serve as lead agencies for many SBHCs, providing clinical staff and billing through Medi-Cal. Examples include La Clínica de la Raza, Golden Valley Health Center, and Native American Health Center.
• County Behavioral Health DepartmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty behavioral health agencies partner with schools and LEAs to provide mental health services. MHSSA grants fund partnerships between county mental health and local education agencies.
• School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Education Agencies (LEAs) partner with health providers and CSHA to establish and operate SBHCs/WCs. Examples include Oakland Unified, West Contra Costa Unified, and Riverbank Unified.
• HospitalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal hospitals may partner with schools to provide primary care, mental health services, or community benefit funding for school health initiatives.
• Full Circle Health NetworkminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerECM provider serving many California counties, helps schools build referral pathways for Enhanced Care Management services.
• Pacific ClinicsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerECM provider that serves children and youth, helps schools connect students to coordinated care through CalAIM.
• Seneca CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChild and family services organization providing ECM services in California counties, supporting school-based referral pathways.
• Fred Finch Youth CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYouth services organization providing ECM and behavioral health services, helps schools build referral pathways for complex needs students.
• The James Morehouse ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerModel SBHC at El Cerrito High School known for youth-centered approach and comprehensive wellness services. Featured as exemplar of successful youth-centered SBHC.
• La Clínica de la RazacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally qualified health center operating SBHCs in Alameda County, provides overview video of school-based health model. Serves as partner for Oakland Unified School District.
• Alameda County HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlameda County Health works with Oakland Unified School District and CSHA on integration principles. Provides base funding and technical support to all SBHCs in Alameda County.
• Alameda County Office of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped comprehensive Wellness Center Guide with practical tools and resources for schools and districts. Partner on wellness center implementation.
• Santa Clara County Office of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped The Wellness Center Model toolkit providing implementation guidance for schools implementing wellness centers.
• Los Angeles Trust for Children's HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes as backbone health entity for Los Angeles Unified School District, partners with CSHA on youth tobacco prevention initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Action for Healthy Kids: National nonprofit that mobilizes school-based programs addressing childhood health, nutrition, and physical activity — comparable nonprofit/advocacy model targeting K–12 student health outcomes.
• Colorado Association for School-Based Health Care: Colorado's statewide nonprofit alliance for SBHCs — operates the same constituency model as CSHA (statewide technical assistance, advocacy, convening) in a different state, making it a direct structural peer.
• National School-Based Health Alliance: The national umbrella nonprofit for the school-based health center movement; CSHA is a direct state-level peer in the same advocacy, technical assistance, and convening model, just at the national vs. California scale.
• Healthy Schools Campaign: A national nonprofit that advocates for policies and resources to support healthy schools and healthy students — strongly parallel mission to CSHA, focused on policy advocacy, convening, and resource provision for school health.
• New York School-Based Health Alliance: Statewide New York alliance supporting school-based health centers through advocacy, training, and resources — a near-identical organizational model to CSHA, scaled to New York.
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthy Futures): National nonprofit focused on healthier environments for kids and schools, including physical, mental, and emotional health — parallel advocacy and resource-provision model aimed at school communities.
• School-Based Health Alliance of Massachusetts: Massachusetts' state-level school health alliance that supports SBHCs and wellness-focused programs in schools — structurally identical to CSHA at the state advocacy level, serving a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO): National nonprofit that represents state/territorial public health agencies and has specifically cited CSHA's SBHC model and research in its publications — a broader public health umbrella that intersects with CSHA's policy work.
• American Academy of Pediatrics: National professional association that produces school-health policy guidance and clinical standards used by SBHCs; a larger, broader incumbent whose school-health portfolio overlaps with CSHA's advocacy and resource scope.

Emerging players

• Hazel Health: A venture-backed school-based telehealth provider delivering physical and mental health services to K–12 students — an emerging private-sector model that competes for school health dollars and could evolve alongside SBHCs supported by CSHA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sbh4ca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California School-Based Health Alliance