Law Mandates School Mental Health Protocol • Capitola Soroptimists Accepting ‘Live Your Dream Award’ Applications • New Homelessness Manager Named

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Law Mandates School Mental Health Protocol

On Oct. 8, amid continued concern about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill legislators hope will enable educators to better identify and address student mental health concerns. Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), the measure is the culmination of several years of effort by parents, educators, and mental health professionals.

Authored with Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), chair of the Assembly Education Committee, Assembly Bill 309 will require the California Department of Education to create a mental health referral protocol for use by schools.

These protocols, to be developed within the next two years by state Department of Education in consultation with the state Department of Health Care Services, are to provide guidance to help educators better identify students with mental health needs and quickly and efficiently connect them with appropriate services.

Aptos High School parents felt anxious after a 17-year-old senior was stabbed to death on campus Aug. 31, allegedly by two classmates, age 17 and 14, involved in gangs.

Because the suspects are under 18, their names will not be released and their judicial matters will be behind closed doors. The family of the teen who died has been so shaken they have not released the name.

A family friend who organized a GoFundMe to help the family pay for bills wrote raised $59,000; she wrote Gerardo died in the stabbing and invited community members come wearing a mask to the memorial service at Ave Maria in Watsonville.

The Pajaro Valley school board, which had voted in 2020 to end armed officers — school resource officers --on its high school campuses, voted to restore that service to address safety.

The California State Parent Teacher Association, the California Teachers Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics supported the bill.

“Like parents across California, I’m deeply concerned about the impact the pandemic has had on our kids’ mental health and emotional wellbeing,” said Gabriel. “California was facing a student mental health crisis prior to the pandemic, and the current situation is even more troubling. Our legislation will equip teachers with better tools and resources so that they can help our students navigate these extremely challenging times, particularly as we continue reopening our schools and bringing students back into the classroom after months of distance learning. I applaud Gov. Newsom for his leadership in signing this bill.”

Data suggest the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many schools into instruction online,e has exacerbated mental health issues for students.

Prior to the pandemic, one in five children exhibited signs of a mental health disorder, such as changes in behavior, eating habits and activity levels, with California adolescents reporting higher rates of depressive symptoms than the national average.

Recent data show the proportion of emergency room visits related to mental health crises has increased dramatically for adolescents since the start of the pandemic found and 25 percent of those surveyed -- (5,470 between age 18-24 -- had contemplated suicide in the previous 30 days. The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found 46 percent of parents reported their child has shown signs of a new or worsening mental health condition since the start of the pandemic. 4 Ways to Start a Conversation

• Read up on the facts, practice your approach, and plan for a time when you won’t be rushed to start the conversation with your loved one. • Communicate in a straightforward manner. It’s OK to ask, “Are you now or have you thought about ending your life?” Regardless of your feelings, focus on listening openly, expressing concern, and reassure them you are there to help. • Ask if they have access to any lethal means and safely help remove their access to them • Keep in mind teens may not be aware or able to express what they are feeling. Keep the lines of communication open and check-in more than once.

“The mental health of many children in California is already at a crisis point,” O’Donnell said. “The stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has only compounded this problem. We are seeing increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation among our young people.

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Capitola Soroptimists Accepting

‘Live Your Dream Award’ Applications

Soroptimist International of Capitola-bythe-Sea is accepting applications for the Live Your Dream Awards with a deadline of Nov. 15.

Women enrolled in or have been accepted into a bachelor’s degree or technical training program, are the heads of their households and have a demonstrated need are eligible. Applications are at www. best4women.org.

Winners receive $2,000 in cash that can be used for any purpose that will enable them to continue their education such as rent, car repairs, books, food and clothes for their children and medical expenses.

“Our Live Your Dream cash awards help support Santa Cruz County women as they work to complete their education,” said Karen (KC) Carlson, Capitola Soroptimist president.

Soroptimist International of Capitolaby-the-Sea is a global volunteer organization that improves the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.

For information visit www.best4women. org, www.facebook.com/sicapitola, or email info@best4women.org. •••

New Homelessness Manager Named

Larry Imwalle has been appointed Homelessness Response Manager for the City of Santa Cruz, effective Oct. 5.

Previously Imwalle, from Salinas, was executive director of the Action Council of Monterey County, a leading hub for social innovation in the Monterey Bay region.

During his 14-year tenure, Action Council worked with local and regional foundations, public sector leaders, and social entrepreneurs to launch more than 40 community-driven projects.

Before joining the Action Council, he conducted community-based research evaluation projects that have informed community investment by foundations and public agencies. Larry Imwalle

“I’m excited to be joining the City to work on the homelessness challenge in Santa Cruz,” Imwalle said. “I’ve been running child welfare programs for a long time, and I’ve seen the direct impacts housing instability and homelessness are having on families and children in our community.”

Imwalle’s initial priority projects include establishing safe sleeping and storage programs and evaluating how the City’s homelessness data can be improved.

The goal of the City’s homelessness response program is to provide a pathway to County services and, ultimately, to stable housing.

Meanwhile, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Ryan Coonerty has applied to be the next Santa Cruz city manager, who will oversee the search for a new police chief. Andy Mills is leaving after four years to be police chief in Palm Springs, putting him closer to his grandchildren.

Coonerty, 47, said he was asked by supporters to apply.

Coonerty graduated from Santa Cruz High before earning degrees at the University of Oregon, London School of Economics, and University of Virginia School of Law, then returning home to teach at UC Santa Cruz and start NextSpace for co-working. In April, he said he would not seek a third term as supervisor. He is married to Emily Bernard Coonerty, who owns Dell Williams Jewelers. They have two young children. n

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Now we can add to any gift they give to one of our participating non-profit organizations and make an even greater impact in our community.”

To support these nonprofits, donate online at https://scccu.org/support-it/ return-the-favor, or stop by any SCCCU branch, in Soquel, Watsonville, or Santa Cruz.

“We’d like to encourage everyone to join us in donating to one of these participating nonprofit organizations,” Carr said. “Our goal is to return the favor so each organization can continue to thrive and provide much-needed support to our community.”