Project aware: integrating mental health and wellness for eureka city schools - integrating wellness for eureka city schools program abstract project objective: eureka city schools (ECS) is applying…

Project aware: integrating mental health and wellness for eureka city schools - integrating wellness for eureka city schools program abstract project objective: eureka city schools (ECS) is applying for funding through project aware. As an LEA with significant need, and several innovative mental health and wellness-focused programs, we will use the funding to improve the infrastructure for providing mental health and wellness services and educational opportunities for students in our district, work with partners to provide additional school-based mental health and wellness services, and plan for long term sustainability of these vital support programs. Our program goals are: increase the capacity of ECS schools to provide mental health education & supports: implement district-wide policies and practices to develop a positive, culturally responsive, trauma-informed learning environment around mental health and wellness, with a focus on peer support programs, ebps, and school-embedded services from tier 1 to tier 3. Expand partnerships to improve MH services available on all campuses: develop formal agreements with community partners to provide school-based services, with a focus on organizations using ebps and serving specific high-needs populations (i.e. bipoc and lgbtqi+ youth), while prioritizing tier 2 and 3 services. This includes the creation and implementation of a comprehensive suicide prevention and education program for youth in grades 6-12. Improve screening & referral pathways for mental health & wellness services: create a comprehensive referral and screening process for the district, and do annual trainings for staff and partners on the process. This includes a comprehensive prevention plan and workflow for screening youth at risk of suicide. We will use baseline data collected in 2023 to assess improvements in services and systems in future grant years. Create a youth & community informed implementation & sustainability plan. Have our advisory council, with significant input from community partners and youth leadership, create implementation and sustainability plans for the mental health and wellness services across eureka city schools district. Plans will be reviewed and updated annually, and will be revised on current student needs data, with an eye towards long-term sustainability of these vital programs. Project aware: integrating wellness for eureka city schools will promote resilience building and mental health well-being for all ECS students, provide positive mental health and wellness supports, and provide improved access to culturally appropriate, trauma-informed services.