This brief outlines how the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) supports the educational and mental health needs of 25 school districts in the county. SCOE partnered with three school districts—Hughson Unified, Patterson, and Turlock—to enhance their school-based mental health programs for approximately 22,000 students.

The brief highlights various initiatives undertaken by SCOE through Project Cal-Well, including:

  • mental health training for staff and students
  • the creation of wellness spaces based on student input
  • the implementation of universal mental health screening systems across districts using tools like the Covitality screening tool
  • the expansion of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) On Campus Clubs to promote advocacy and awareness campaigns related to mental health.

Additionally, the brief mentions efforts made toward increasing availability and access to school-based mental health services through referral pathways and building partnerships with community organizations, such as Sandy Hook Promise’s Start With Hello program at Turlock USD. Overall, SCOE aims to sustain these initiatives beyond the initial funding period through strategic alignment with existing programs focused on children’s behavioral health care.