At the DC Council’s recent roundtable on the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), AJE’s Chioma Oruh, Ph.D., testified regarding the FY2026 School-Based Behavioral Health (SBBH) Comprehensive Plan.

AJE supports the expansion of behavioral health services in schools, and encouraged DBH to also address ongoing discrimination that affects families, especially Black and Latino children as well as youth with special health care needs and disabilities. Chioma explained that many families still view the SBBH program as a set of obstacles rather than support, despite DBH identifying crucial needs, including care based on trauma, workforce development, and data accountability. She made her concerns clear regarding the plan’s intent to place all clinicians under DBH employment by FY2028, pointing out that this change could worsen the current clinician shortage and affect credible community organizations.

Additionally, she pointed out that the plan reflects a pattern of reactive approaches (carceral logic) which negatively impacts students with disabilities, low-income students, LGBTQ youth, as well as young childhood students through higher levels of suspension and referrals to organizations like DYRS or CFSA.

Chioma encouraged DBH and the Council to adopt a community-based, wellness-driven approach by:

• • Putting a higher priority on repairing justice than surveillance
  • Integrating peer and family-driven engagement within MTSS models
  • Producing an advisory council with genuine authority that is empowered by democratic principles and includes families
  • Improving the capacity local CBOs (Community Based Organization), rather than decreasing the role of local CBOs.

Further, she also suggested a hybrid provider model, greater transparency through reporting to the public, and financial assistance for doulas, parent navigators, community health professionals, and youth peer support workers.

Chioma came to the conclusion that the FY2026 Plan will only be successful if families and youths are given leadership roles in developing, planning, and executing school based behavioral health services rather than just being questioned about it. She emphasized that a successful behavioral health system has a framework built with trust, and AJE is prepared to work with the District to establish it.

Click here to read Chioma’s full testimony.