Report 2019-125 Recommendation 21 Responses
Report 2019-125: Youth Suicide Prevention: Local Educational Agencies Lack the Resources and Policies Necessary to Effectively Address Rising Rates of Youth Suicide and Self‑Harm (Release Date: September 2020)
Recommendation #21 To: Heartland Charter Schools
To improve their students' access to mental health professionals, Kern High School District, Ukiah Unified, Gateway Charter, Redwoods Charter, and Heartland Charter should coordinate with their respective counties to request MHSA funding to employ additional school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, and school psychologists.
1-Year Agency Response
We hired 2 ERMHS psychologists to support school wide mental health needs. Additionally began running Tier1 and Tier 2 social/emotional/behavioral intervention groups as well as tier 3 one on one short term intervention.
- Completion Date: August 2021
- Response Date: September 2021
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented
Although Heartland has hired two psychologists, its response does not indicate that it has hired the recommended number of counselors, nurses, or social workers. Thus, Heartland should coordinate with Kern County to request MHSA funding to employ individuals in those positions.
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
6-Month Agency Response
Heartland Charter school requested training from our SELPA on applying for MHSA funding. The SELPA has organized a training that we are planning on attending. We plan to apply for funding by 6/2021 and are in the process of gathering data needed for the application.
- Estimated Completion Date: 6/2021
- Response Date: March 2021
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending
60-Day Agency Response
*We are in the application process for MHSA funding and will use this revenue for additional mental health professionals should we be accepted.
*We have appointed a primary and secondary suicide prevention liaison. She is overseeing our entire process from the initial recommendation to the postvention response team.
- Estimated Completion Date: November 2021
- Response Date: November 2020
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
Heartland has not yet provided evidence of its application for MHSA funds.
All Recommendations in 2019-125
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.