LAUSD to focus on growing the number of students and staff accessing mental health support

LAUSD is set to promote mental health among students, teachers, and staff over the next four years.

The new Superintendent for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Alberto M. Carvalho has laid out a bold vision for the nation’s second largest school district and part of that vision includes promoting mental health among the district’s students, teachers, and staff over the next four years. With mental health and well-being of students gaining greater urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, The L.A. Trust has partnered with Ballmer Group, district staff from the School Mental Health Division and Wellness Programs, Wellness Providers (clinics), and other external partners to create a Youth Mental Health Collaborative. Meeting each quarter, the goal of the collaborative is to raise awareness and increase pathways to mental health services for students.

L.A. Unified is looking to invest in student wellness; by promoting whole-child wellbeing through integrated health and wellness services and a continuity of mental services for students and families at school, wellness centers, and through telehealth programs. The district will record data in socio-emotional learning and focus on growing the number of students and staff accessing mental health support. LAUSD plans to consistently monitor results and engage with the community to ensure its priorities are on track. 

Training programs are created in collaboration with students to facilitate referrals and raise awareness around mental health.

The Youth Mental Health Collaborative is part of The L.A. Trust’s Student Mental Health Initiative which includes training programs and social media campaigns created in collaboration with students to facilitate referrals and raise awareness around mental health. The L.A. Trust has trained over 200 L.A. Unified teachers and community partners in Youth Mental Health First Aid, which is designed to teach adults how to help adolescents experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge. In addition, trainings are provided to students on Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR), a program aimed at reducing suicidal behaviors.

The L.A. Trust is committed to total student wellness — mind, body and spirit. This school year, we will continue to advocate for mental health services, whether on campus or off, and to fight the stigma that keeps students and family members from seeking help.

Teachers and safety protocols greet returning L.A. students

L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner greets returning students this week at Maurice Sendak Elementary School in North Hollywood.

Thirteen months after the start of the coronavirus quarantine, L.A. Unified students are starting to return to campus this week, and other local districts are following suit. But it will take a big commitment, and a big investment, to get schools and students back on track, according to Austin Beutner, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified.

“Reopening of schools is not a simple exercise,” Beutner said. “COVID safety protocols and testing, class schedules and lesson plans, after-school programs, transportation, meals and much more all need to come together.”  

“It’s heartening to see our students back on campus after this difficult quarantine,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. ”We must do everything we can to help them recover what they’ve lost in academics and healthcare.”  

Return to Campus Family Guide

This week 72 early education and elementary schools are re-opening for families who have selected in-person learning. The remaining early education and elementary schools will open next week, and middle and high schools will reopen the week of April 26. 

Students and staff are required to take a COVID test before returning to school. L.A. Unified provides testing sites and locations for students and families to obtain a test. The testing hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until April 25. Visit the testing website or call the Family Hotline at 213-443-1300 to schedule an appointment. 

Closing opportunity gaps

“The opportunity gaps for students from families who are struggling to get by will only worsen if they’re not back in schools with their peers from more affluent neighborhoods,” Beutner said in a video update to the LAUSD community.

“It’s simple enough to see the solution — providing vaccinations for families with children in schools is the single most important thing we can do to get more children back in school classrooms.”  L.A. Unified has partnered with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and Northeast Community Clinics to provide 25 school-based vaccination centers.   

Unprecedented investment

An unprecedented investment from the state and federal governments in public schools are invested in services for mental, student disabilities, and proper sterilization of LAUSD campuses for the 2021-22 school year, the superintendent reported.

Beutner said, “$170 million will provide more mental health counselors at schools to help students process the anxiety and trauma of the past year… $140 million investment will update Individualized Education Programs and provide more direct services to students. To help keep schools clean and safe, we’ll invest an additional $220 million in custodial staff, cleaning supplies, upgraded facilities and COVID testing.” 

One challenge: While L.A. Unified saw the same proportion of graduates enrolling in four-year colleges, there was a 9% drop in those who enrolled in two-year colleges. This issue is most acute in lower-income communities. 

Sharing Brings Hope to L.A. Unified students and families

Local District East Sharing Brings Hope coordinators got fundraising tips on Zoom February 10.

The Los Angeles Unified School District’s Sharing Brings Hope 60-day charity drive has launched with a new state-of-the-art online giving portal.

Last year, thousands of teachers, staff, students and family members contributed to the campaign to strengthen some of L.A.’s strongest nonprofits.

“Over the years the Sharing Brings Hope Combined Consolidated Campaign has raised millions of dollars for charities supporting our kids, teens and families,” said Anna Baum, director of development for The Los Angeles Trust. “This year our campaign activities will be conducted almost entirely online to keep everyone safe,” she said. “We are proud to be part of this campaign and grateful to the LAUSD community for their support.”

The annual campaign benefits The L.A. Trust and 10 other local nonprofit organizations: the Asian Pacific Community Fund, Brotherhood Crusade, Community Health Charities, EarthShare California, Kathryn Kurka Children’s Health Fund, LAUSD Employee Sponsored Scholarship Fund, United Latinx Fund, United Negro College Fund, United Teachers Educational Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

There are several ways to give: regular payroll deductions (LAUSD employees only) or one-time contributions by cash or check. Visit the new Sharing Brings Hope website to learn how to give or call (888) 492-4738.

COVID testing key to L.A. Unified’s return-to-school strategy

L.A. Unified return-to-school plan encompasses testing and tracing for nearly 800,000 students and employees.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has begun an unprecedented coronavirus testing program, part of its developing return-to-school plan for nearly 800,000 students and employees 

Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said, “Health practices are in place. Classrooms and facilities have been electrostatically cleaned top to bottom, air-conditioning systems have been upgraded with the equivalent of N-95 filters, personal protective equipment is provided to all individuals on campus, and classrooms and facilities have been reconfigured to keep all at a school a safer distance apart.  

“When students do return to schools, they’ll be kept in small cohorts to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. And as we learn of other ways to enhance health practices, we’ll incorporate them as quickly as possible.”

‘Taking the lead’ 

“Once again, LAUSD is taking the lead nationwide in protecting our students, teachers, staff and community members,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. “It is essential that we open our schools as soon as it is safe to do so.” 

Beutner added, “While unprecedented, the virus testing, community engagement and contact-tracing program is necessary and appropriate as we must do everything we can to protect the health and safety of all in the school community.”  

Among those collaborating on the program are UCLA, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Microsoft, Anthem Blue Cross, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Health Net.

‘Sharing Brings Hope’ from LAUSD to area nonprofits and their clients

“Sharing Brings Hope” benefits organizations serving communities in need. Here Dr. Tu Nguyen of More LA Smiles conducts a student dental exam as part of The L.A. Trust’s oral health initiative.

The Los Angeles Unified School District’s “Sharing Brings Hope” 60-day charity drive officially starts February 3, 2020. Last year, thousands of teachers, staff, students and family members contributed to the campaign to strengthen some of L.A.’s strongest nonprofits.

“The campaign raised more than $520,000 in 2019, and we hope to top that this year,” said Anna Baum, director of development for The Los Angeles Trust. “We are proud to be part of this campaign and grateful to the LAUSD community for their support.”

The annual campaign benefits The L.A Trust and 10 other local nonprofit organizations: the Asian Pacific Community Fund, Brotherhood Crusade, Community Health Charities, EarthShare California, Kathryn Kurka Children’s Health Fund, LAUSD Employee Sponsored Scholarship Fund, United Latinx Fund, United Negro College Fund, United Teachers Educational Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

There are several ways to give: one-time contributions by cash or check, or payroll deductions. Visit the Sharing Brings Hope website or call (888) 492-4738 to learn more.

The campaign will host an invitation-only Leadership Breakfast on January 22 featuring LAUSD and community leaders and recognizing last year’s top contributors at the school, local district and department levels. 

The L.A. Trust will host an event in February at LAUSD headquarters to give Beaudry fundraising coordinators more information on how to organize.