Making It Happen
See below for a listing of the people and places we’ve worked with while implementing the Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA).
For updates in real time on our MHSSA community engagement, follow the Commission on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter).
Site Visits
- San Diego County, May 7, 2024: Site visits to attend a “Hope Squad” meeting at Descanso Elementary School, and to attend a “Sources of Strength” meeting at Urban Discovery Academy
- San Benito County, September 8, 2023: Site visit to attend a Mental Health Lead Meeting organized by San Benito County Office of Education and San Benito County Behavioral Health
- Imperial County, March 22, 2023: Site visit (Commission staff, Commissioners and Legislative representation) to two high schools which included hearing students’ lived experiences
- Napa County, March 16, 2023: Site visit (Commission staff) to wellness center at Napa Valley Wellness Conference
- Calaveras County, January 19, 2023: Site visit (Commission staff) to wellness centers at an elementary school and a charter school
- Yolo County, December 12, 2022: Partnership meeting (Commission staff) to observe Yolo County’s MHSSA program model and learn how the program has impacted the youth it serves
- Marin County, October 11, 2022: Site visit (including Commission staff and Legislative representation) to two high school wellness centers
Special Speakers
On March 1, 2023, three Imperial County students provided testimony before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee at the Capitol in Sacramento regarding their mental health needs and the impact and importance of the school based MHSSA programs. The students personally met and engaged with their state representatives and toured the Capitol. Their appearance helped normalize discussions about mental health and wellness in schools and made a lasting contribution in elevating student voice and youth engagement.
Surveys
- March 6, 2024 – Poll MHSSA grantees (Collaboration Meeting) regarding peer-to-peer mental wellness supports
- September 6, 2023 – Poll MHSSA grantees (Collaboration Meeting) regarding program needs
- August 11, 2023 – Survey MHSSA grantees regarding program needs
- March 1, 2023 – Poll MHSSA grantees (Collaboration Meeting) regarding peer-to-peer technical assistance
- December 7, 2022 – Poll MHSSA grantees (Collaboration Meeting) regarding targeted technical assistance needs
- September 7, 2022 – Poll MHSSA grantees (Collaboration Meeting) regarding technical assistance needs and options
- March 29, 2022 – Survey MHSSA grantees regarding cohorts
- August 2021 – Survey non-participating counties to determine barriers to participation
- February 22, 2021 – Data Workgroup Survey
Listening Sessions
- January 9, 2024 – Shout Out for Student Wellness (virtual)
- September 22, 2021 – Funding Opportunity for Non-Participating Counties (virtual)
- Fall 2019 – MHSSA Opportunity Listening Session in Fresno
- Fall 2019 – MHSSA Opportunity Listening Session in Los Angeles
- Fall 2019 – MHSSA Opportunity Listening Session in Richmond
- Fall 2019 – MHSSA Opportunity Listening Session in Sacramento
WestEd Outreach and Youth Advisory Group
- February 16, 2024 – Presented to the MHSSA Workgroup and received public feedback
- February 2024 – Established 16-member Youth Advisory Group
- November 16, 20 and 21, 2023 – Listening sessions with Youth
- October 26 and 30, 2023 – Listening sessions with Phase 3 MHSSA Grantees
- October 6 and 11, 2023 – Listening sessions with Phase 2 MHSSA Grantees
- September 19 and 29, 2023 – Listening sessions with Phase 1 MHSSA Grantees
- April 19, 2023 – Presented to the MHSSA Workgroup and received public feedback
Research, Evaluation, and Data Team MHSSA Data Workgroup Meetings
- February 16, 2024
- October 12, 2023
- September 23, 2023
- April 19, 2023
- December 22, 2022
MHSSA Collaboration Meetings
MHSSA Collaboration Meetings occur quarterly on the first Wednesday of every third month.
School Mental Health
Resources