Children Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)

The LGBTQ+ Advisory is a diverse group of California youth, subject matter experts and community leaders who’ve come together to co-create an innovative engagement campaign with Change Craft and CDPH’s Office of Health Equity to improve mental and behavioral health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth in California. 

Join us in making a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth across California by contributing your expertise and passion to this vital campaign. Click the link to apply today.

Meet the Advisory

  • Ari Arnold

    Ari Arnold

    Youth Advisor

  • Jules Bianco

    Youth Advisor,
    Planned Parenthood - Central Coast, Intern

  • Ariel Bustamante

    Senior Manager, Capacity-Building
    LA LGBT Center

  • Camila Camaleón

    President,
    San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center

  • Andres Castro

    Senior Program Specialist
    Los Angeles County Office of Education

  • Ariela Cuellar

    Senior Communications Specialist,
    California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network

  • Jacob Daruvala

    Director of Civic Engagement
    Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance

  • Mimi Demissew

    Executive Director
    Our Family Coalition

  • Arturo Durazo

    Arturo Durazo

    Assistant Professor of Public Health
    University of California, Merced

  • Kristina Forrester

    CFO
    Lumina Alliance

  • Jesse Gilbert

    Peer Self-Advocacy Trainer
    Disability Rights California

  • Sam Gutierrez

    Youth Organizer
    Gente Organizada

  • David Heitstuman

    CEO
    Sacramento LGBT Community Center

  • Evan Johnson

    Training Specialist
    TransFamily Support Services

  • Kayleigh Luna

    Kayleigh Luna

    Youth Advisor

  • Sergio Morales

    Executive Director
    California School-Based Health Alliance

  • Browning Neddeau

    Browning Neddeau

    Associate Professor
    California State University, Chico

  • Charley Newel

    Charley Newel

    Youth Programs Coordinator
    Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO)

  • Trevor Paige

    Trevor Paige

    Legislative Affairs Analyst
    Secretary of State

  • Kevin Perez

    President
    Somos Familia Valle

  • Selby Price

    Selby Price

    Youth Advisor

  • Rochelle Rodriguez

    School Counselor
    Oxnard Union High School District

  • Maria Skelton

    Board Member
    San Fernando Valley Mental Health Centers

  • Ro'Mel Smith

    Program Manager
    Stanford Sierra Youth & Families

  • Justina Sotelo

    Justina Sotelo

    Executive Director
    Stonewall Alliance of Chico

  • Quinn Talley

    Quinn Talley

    Youth Advisor

  • Rhys Wong

    Rhys Wong

    Youth Advisor

About the LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Campaign

Part of California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)

CYBHI focuses on promoting social and emotional well-being, preventing behavioral health challenges, and providing equitable, appropriate, timely, and accessible services for emerging and existing behavioral health needs for children and youth ages 0-25. LGBTQ+ youth are among the most impacted and least served of youth experiencing mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges. The goal of this targeted effort is to address the unique stigma faced by LGBTQ+ youth while also raising behavioral health literacy and increasing help-seeking behaviors to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth.

About the LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Campaign Advisory Panel

Purpose

The LGBTQ+ Advisory will help guide the development and implementation of CDPH Office of Health Equity’s LGBTQ+ youth mental health campaign being developed by Change Craft and co-created in partnership with LGBTQ+ youth. The advisory will ensure the campaign is informed by diverse perspectives, particularly from those with lived experiences and professional expertise working with LGBTQ+ youth in trauma-informed, healing-centered, and equity-minded approaches to co-creation with community.

The Advisory Panel will

  • Provide insights and recommendations to enhance campaign strategies.

  • Assist in the development of culturally competent and impactful materials.

  • Support the evaluation of campaign effectiveness and suggest improvements.

Qualifications

We are seeking individuals who meet the following criteria:

  • Experience working with LGBTQ+ youth or developing related campaigns, resources, or interventions.

  • Professional background in fields such as public health, mental health, social services, academia, media, or community-based organizations.

  • Demonstrated commitment to advocating for LGBTQ+ health and wellness.

  • Ability to provide strategic insights and constructive feedback.

  • Lived experience with LGBTQ+ communities and/or mental health support.

Expectations of Participation

  • Virtual attendance at a quarterly meeting (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours).

  • Contribute to ongoing discussions with open, honest, and respectful input.

  • Participation in other optional meetings, surveys and dialogue as available.

What’s In It For You

  • Opportunity to influence development of an important LGBTQ+ initiative.

  • Add experience to your resume working with a highly visible CA campaign.

  • Networking opportunities with other LGBTQ+ national/statewide leaders.

  • Participants are compensated for their time and service.

  • Invitation to join campaign launch event (travel not covered). 

Group Facilitator

Dr. Scout

As a nationally and globally renowned leader in LGBTQ+ health, Dr. Scout builds bridges between policy and action, with a particular focus on equity and inclusion for under-represented communities. He accomplishes this through programmatic design, identifying and promulgating best practices, trainings, research, and evaluation. Dr. Scout has extensive experience advising government organizations in public education and communication efforts designed to improve health outcomes for LGBTQ+ populations.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should respond to the application survey

 

For any questions regarding the LGBTQ+ Advisory Panel or the application process, please contact:

Adam Alonsagay | Sr. Account Supervisor, Change Craft – adam@thechangecraft.com