Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a One-Year Agreement, in an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000, with Alameda Family Services for Student Mental Health Services. (Community Development 001)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On May 14, 2019, the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Education adopted a resolution requesting funding from the City of Alameda (City) to be used for increased staffing for student mental health services to be provided by Alameda Family Services (AFS). AFS operates three school-based Health Centers at Alameda, Encinal, and Island High Schools. On June 18, 2019, the Alameda City Council approved the Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2019-20 and 2020-21. It includes a General Fund appropriation of $100,000 to assist with funding AUSD's Mental Health program.
The proposed agreement with AFS would help cover the salary and benefits of one additional counselor, who will provide mental health services, including individual and group therapy and management at Encinal High School three days per week and at Alameda High School two days per week. This counselor is expected to serve between 20 to 25 students and families this school year.
BACKGROUND
In the 2017-18 school year, AUSD conducted a comprehensive assessment of the current behavioral health needs of the students it serves. Students, parents, staff, and key stakeholders overwhelmingly reported that additional staff (counselors, therapists, psychologists, etc.) and behavioral health services, including individual, group, peer, and family counseling are needed to address students' increasing behavioral health needs. In particular, student groups reported significant problems dealing with stress, anxiety, sadness or hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, and problems with drug use and abuse.
Similarly, the Social Service Human Relations Board's (SSHRB) 2017 Community Needs Assessment identified...
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