BUSD Holds Mental Health Assessment Update

The Berkeley Unified School District, or BUSD, held a meeting Thursday to review the results of a mental health assessment that is being conducted as part of a four-year mental health improvement plan.

Last fall, the county received a grant to implement the plan, which is overseen by the Medical Office of Health Coordinator (MHOAC). This evaluation was conducted in collaboration with the Berkeley Division of Mental Health and Resource Development Associates, or RDA, Consulting.

According to BUSD Director of Student Affairs Philip Shelley, the grant gives the district $2,500,000 that has so far been spent on mental health worker salaries, RDA assessments and mental health first aid training for youth. Other costs over the plan's two years include scholarships for internships, funding for mental health providers in the county's elementary schools and peer training at Berkeley Technical Academy.

"We value the importance of the mental health and well-being of our students," Assistant Superintendent Jill Hugendyk said at the meeting. "It's become very clear, especially because of Covid."

Courtney Davis, RDA's general counsel, gave a presentation on the evaluation, which she said began in May and data collection took place in April. RDA sorts through the data and develops themes in June and July, then begins implementing its findings in August.

About 200 people took part in the assessment, including district students, staff and families. Davis said many people in the community are interested in helping with the project, but some families and staff are unaware of the services currently available to students, and some students share negative experiences with support from the school. Davis added that the district needs to make resources more equitable and available to all schools.

Because of those concerns, Davis said, the RDA recommended that the district provide students with a clear definition of mental health, centralize the contracting process with community organizations and provide mental health professional development training for all staff.

The RDA calls on the district to assess truancy and truancy trends, including student issues, address student needs, and build bridges and relationships with families. As part of this goal, the district has created a Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA) website and will provide mental health first aid training for parents.

In a presentation at Berkeley High School, or BHS, Doreen Bracamontes, associate director of school climate and student health, talked about the creation of the BHS Health Center, which will be created in partnership with the city of Berkeley and the BHS Health Center.

"We believe that the well-being of students is protected when society sees them for who they are and where they are, and works with them to present and implement informed, culturally, personally and professionally responsible opportunities for their future," Bracamontes said on a meeting . . , determines the well-being of students.

The host then opens the meeting for public discussion, answering questions from community members. Shelley said the district, which collects data and continues mental health improvement initiatives, is required to report grant progress to MHOAC.

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