Learn about school support services
School support services encompasses school-based behavioral health programs and projects, under the School Linked Services (SLS) program, are aligned with the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. The SLS program addresses students' behavioral and emotional needs, through a community participatory approach, to improve the health and wellbeing of students and their families. School support and services are coordinated by SLS Coordinators, who are located at the school district or a school site. They coordinate services provided by schools, public agencies, and community-based organizations throughout County of Santa Clara to improve protective factors, e.g., family relationships, decrease risk-factors, enhance service accessibility and resource linkage, and support children's success in school and in life.
School Based Programs
School-based behavioral health programs, such as SLS Behavioral Health, are provided by master's level clinicians on or near a school campus, although may be accessed at clinic, home, and community agencies as necessary and needed. Services are individualized and tailored to the needs of the youth based upon age, developmental functioning level, history of trauma, cultural values, family environment, and physical health. Program includes individual, family, and group therapy, targeted case management, and medication support. Access to child psychiatry services can be facilitated if necessary.
Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI)
The Prevention and early intervention services are provided through our school-based programs. Prevention services include outreach and mental health promotion, mental health screening, psychoeducation, SkillStreaming curriculum classroom-wide or groups, and parenting workshops such as Strengthening Families and Positive Parenting Program (Triple P). Early intervention includes individual and group therapy, case management, and family therapy and support.
Population served
All students within partnering school districts and their families are eligible to receive school support services, including linkage to community resources and family engagement activities.
School Linked Services initiative overview
In 2011, then County Board of Supervisor’s President Dave Cortese called for County Department heads to develop a plan to implement the School Linked Services Initiative. A SLS Advisory Committee was convened by Supervisor Dave Cortese, Supervisor George Shirakawa and ESUHSD Superintendent Dan Moser and met monthly from April to November 2011, concluding with the development of a Strategic Plan. The Board of Supervisors approved the SLS Strategic Plan in January 2012.
A SLS Implementation Oversight Task Force was formed to oversee and guide the implementation phase of this initiative. The task force’s broad membership includes representation from government agencies, school districts and additional partnering entities, as well as members from philanthropy, business, academia/research, nonprofit, ethnic and cultural populations, faith, juvenile court, foster care, parents and youth.
The task force developed and approved a charter identifying five categories of work essential to the initial phase of SLS. Workgroups were formed and are making progress on deliverables in the areas of Budget and Resource Development, Services Access and Coordination, Training and Technical Assistance, Data Assessment and Evaluation and Parent Engagement and Collaborative Development. A communication plan is under development.
The SLS Oversight Implementation Task Force set priorities, provided direction, and championed implementation of the broader SLS initiative. The five workgroups developed concrete strategies and tools around implementation, sustainability and the expansion of SLS. Concurrently, new services rolled out across the county, in support of the SLS vision: Children are thriving at home, in school, and in their communities through the care and nurturance of families who love them; and through responsive, effective and coordinated support available from the schools, system services, and community resources that surround them.
SLS offers on-site school-based services to heal and strengthen individuals, families and systems by addressing needs and risks faced by children, youth and families.
SLS coordinates services provided by schools, public agencies and community-based organizations throughout the County of Santa Clara to improve results, enhance accessibility, and to support children’s success in school and in life.
Approach
- Schools are a hub for services
- Coordinated service delivery
- A SLS Coordinator on each campus
- Active parent and community engagement
- Research informed models
- Robust evaluation to inform policy and practice
- Sponsorship from all levels
Services provided to children and families are data informed, easily accessible, supported by district and campus leadership, and meet the needs of the community.
Collaborative partnerships
A consortium of parents, community members, partner organizations, education, and service sector leaders, holds the vision and drives the course of the SLS Initiative by championing the needs, priorities, and activities of the campus community.
allcove
Alum Rock Counseling Center
Catholic Charities of County of Santa Clara
City of San José
Community Solutions
Downtown Youth Wellness Center
FIRST 5 County of Santa Clara
Gardner Family Health Network
Healthier Kids Foundation
Kids in Common
Pacific Clinics
Rebekah's Children Services
San José Police Department
County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Divisions
County of Santa Clara Department of Family & Children Services
County of Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office
County of Santa Clara Office of Education
County of Santa Clara Office of the Public Defender
County of Santa Clara Probation Department
County of Santa Clara Public Health Department
County of Santa Clara School Districts
County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency
County of Santa Clara Substance Use Prevention Services
County of Santa Clara Suicide Prevention Services
Seneca
Starlight
The Foundation of Hispanic Education
United Way Bay Area
- Alum Rock Union School District
- Cambrian School District
- Campbell Union School District
- Campbell Union High School District
- Cupertino Union School District
- East Side Union High School District
- Franklin-McKinley School District
- Fremont Union High School District
- Gilroy Unified School District
- Loma Prieta Joint Union School District
- Los Altos School District
- Los Gatos Union School District
- Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District
- Luther Burbank School District
- Milpitas Unified School District
- Moreland School District
- Morgan Hill Unified School District
- Mount Pleasant Elementary School District
- Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District
- Mountain View Whisman School District
- Oak Grove School District
- Orchard School District
- Palo Alto Unified School District
- San José Unified School District
- Santa Clara Unified School District
- County of Santa Clara Office of Education