How California Can't Wait Began

California Can’t Wait is built on a simple premise: closing the gap between kids in crisis and the care they need.

Nearly half of California's youth report persistent feelings of hopelessness, yet most who need mental healthcare never get it. Schools have become the front line of a crisis they were never equipped to handle, with teachers and staff asked to fill roles they weren't trained for. WeBelong Institute exists to change that, through policy, advocacy, and direct organizing across the state.

California Can't Wait is our flagship campaign: a statewide push for the Youth Mental Health Access Guarantee, legislation that would put a licensed mental health provider in every public middle and high school in California, available without referral barriers, during school hours. It's WeBelong Institute's largest and most active effort to date, backed by a growing ambassador network and tens of thousands of signatures headed toward 100,000.

Support the work: Your donation funds the research, outreach, and organizing behind this campaign. Donate to WeBelong Institute and help us get this bill in front of California lawmakers.

See the full campaign: Visit CaliforniaCantWait.com to read the bill, sign the petition, and get involved