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News Releases » Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Awarded $2.4 Million to Provide Physical, Emotional, and Mental Well-Being to Support Students 

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Awarded $2.4 Million to Provide Physical, Emotional, and Mental Well-Being to Support Students 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2024

 

Contact: 

Marci McFadden, Chief of Communications & Engagement

831-706-6971

 

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Awarded $2.4 Million to 

Provide Physical, Emotional, and Mental Well-Being to Support Students 

 

Monterey, CA - The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) has been awarded with a Certified Wellness Coach Employer Support grant through the California Department of Health Care Access and Information in the amount of $2,461,305. This grant is part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health. California introduced the Certified Wellness Coach program and website to support overall physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and build a more diverse behavioral health workforce to help children and youth. If you want to reference the Governor’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health as the vision leading to formation of the Certified Wellness Coach profession (learn more here).

 

Prior to the global pandemic, the United States was experiencing a mental health crisis. The escalating mental health needs of children and youth were largely unmet due to insufficient capacity, multiple barriers to care, and disparities across populations.

 

“The mental health crisis for our children and youth in our community and across the nation has reached a critical point,” said Assistant Superintendent Donnie Everett. “Our data indicates that our students are primarily suffering from depression, anxiety, alcohol/substance abuse, family related problems and friendship/social interaction related issues.”

 

To meet the increasing demand, MPUSD has developed a robust infrastructure and system that provides mental health and social and emotional learning (SEL) support at each of our schools. Specifically, the district has funded a comprehensive mental wellness department through ARP (American Rescue Plan), ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief), LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan), Title 1 and general funding. 

 

“Despite this significant investment, the needs of our students, families, and staff far outweigh the amount of support we currently have in place,” explained Everett. 

 

The Wellness Coach Employer Support grant will help MPUSD braid in a new layer of funding to replace some of the reductions and financial setbacks that it is facing within its 2024-2025 budget. Additionally, the district has plans to sustain and grow capacity to support its ever-growing mental health needs of the community. Specifically, the district will:

  1. Integration into and Engagement with School Communities: MPUSD will continue working closely with school administrators and educators in all MPUSD schools to ensure the integration of the wellness coaching principles and practices into existing programs, thereby embedding wellness culture within the school environment.
  2. Professional Development: MPUSD will invest in training and professional development of certified wellness coaches to ensure they are equipped with the latest evidence-based practices and coaching techniques. Professional development opportunities will be leveraged across similar positions within our schools in order to develop continuity of care for all students.
  3. Supervision of Certified Wellness Coaches: MPUSD will develop a certified wellness coach supervision community of practice to support school-based professionals (Pupil Personnel Services and Licensed Behavioral Health Providers) with the skills required to supervise Certified Wellness Coaches. 

“These sustainability efforts will enable MPUSD to continue providing high-quality wellness coaching services to the MPUSD community for years to come,” expanded Everett. “We are deeply committed to our mission of promoting health and well-being and are excited about the positive impact that the certified wellness coach program will continue to have on the lives of those we serve.”

 

The district extends its sincere gratitude to the Department of Health Care Access and Information for their support and investment in the certified wellness coach program. Further, it looks forward to continuing its partnership and making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals within the MPUSD community.

 

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About Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

 

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is home to approximately 9,400 students in grades transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. The district also houses preschool and adult education. The district is built on a solid foundation of effective instruction, positive school culture, systems of support, and collaborative leadership. The district is nestled along the Monterey Bay, and stretches from the city of Marina to the north to the city of Monterey to the south, and includes the communities of Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Sand City and Seaside.