Published: Opinion: We can’t leave children out of the county’s behavioral health plan

Date: April 2, 2026

When creating an optimal pathway to behavioral health care, it is vital to include children. Focusing on prevention and early intervention is not only the most cost-effective, but also foundational to a child's wellbeing.

This Opinion Piece provides an overview of how the Children, Youth, and Transitional Age Youth Behavioral Health Continuum Framework for San Diego County became simply the Youth Optimal Care Pathway, completely leaving children out of the plan, and the effects it has on the community.