Novato Kris Cosca, Ed.D*

Many mental health issues result from social and cultural factors that lie outside the schools but affect the ability of students to learn and schools to teach. This is a complex problem that the community must help address. Response: Agree - Schools are only one element within a network of support that is necessary for a comprehensive approach to student wellness. The Novato Unified School District supports the community approach to wellness identified in the Marin County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan.

Strategy 6 of the Marin County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, which includes a promise of support by the county and designates the Marin Schools Wellness Collaborative with responsibility for leading its implementation, presents an especially appropriate opportunity for addressing mental health needs. Response: Agree - The Marin County Schools Wellness Collaborative is well equipped to effectively support the implementation of Strategy 6 of the Marin County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. The expertise of the group, coupled with their shared knowledge and understanding of how school systems operate, will work to enhance student wellness across all of Marin County's schools.

To help provide therapeutic counselors at affordable costs, most districts need assistance from licensed therapists who have the time and skills to recruit, train, and supervise interns from local graduate school programs. Response: Agree - The need for additional mental health support in schools is clear and one that is even more heightened in the current COVID-19 environment. Utilizing mental health interns can be an effective strategy to bolster mental health staffing, but as noted in the report, the approach does come with additional Engage. Inspire. Empower. BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Maria Aguila, Debbie Butler, Diane Gasson, Julie Jacobson, Derek Knell, Greg Mack, Ross Millerick www.NUSD.org Novato Unified School District Response to the Marin County Grand Jury Report "Reading, Writing, and Therapy: Mental Health Challenges in Our Schools" responsibilities related to training and supervision. Additionally, the use of interns does not work to meet the permanent staffing needs of a school district, as internships do not typically evolve into a permanent position with the school district. More solutions to this pervasive problem are necessary. Currently, the Novato Unified School District is examining our existing systems of support to determine where services can be enhanced to reduce the number of students that require direct support from mental health professionals on an ongoing basis through our Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Having defined this as a critical area of need in 2019, NUSD hired a full time Coordinator of MTSS. This employee is systematically taking inventory of current practices and resources, identifying gaps and redundancies in services, and working with all school leaders to take a more comprehensive approach. By ensuring a high- quality core curriculum and support network in tier 1, the need for direct mental health professionals will decrease.

Most districts need staffing help to identify, arrange, and maintain relationships with community mental health resources. Response: Agree - While the Novato Unified School District staff could benefit from receiving assistance related to how to best navigate the system of mental health resources and services available within the community, dedicated staffing does not appear necessary to meet this need. The provision of ongoing training and updates from public and/or private agencies, as needed, would be most beneficial to the students and families of the Novato Unified School District.

The Grand Jury recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely strained resources at all levels of government. However, the mental health concerns for students will remain. It is appropriate to expand teacher and staff training and parent education even while funding is sought for more costly programs. Response: Agree - Now more than ever, the need for proactive and targeted training and education related to wellness is paramount. The Novato Unified School District believes that all students, families and staff can benefit from education and training that focuses on proven strategies to support wellness and increase coping skills and resilience. Please find the attached list of training and education opportunities available to the Novato Unified School District community during the 2020-2021 school year.