Report 2019-125 Recommendation 22 Responses

Report 2019-125: Youth Suicide Prevention: Local Educational Agencies Lack the Resources and Policies Necessary to Effectively Address Rising Rates of Youth Suicide and Self‑Harm (Release Date: September 2020)

Recommendation #22 To: Kern High School District

To improve their students' access to mental health professionals, Kern High School District, Ukiah Unified, Gateway Charter, Redwoods Charter, and Heartland Charter should coordinate with their respective counties to request MHSA funding to employ additional school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, and school psychologists.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2022

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Kern High School District and the Kern County of Superintendent of Schools Office was approved by their Governing Board at the October 2021 board meeting. The MOU provides the mental health support of licensed clinicians (e.g., Marriage and Family Therapists or Clinical Social Workers) two days a week at two different KHSD sites (Bakersfield High School and South High School) through August 2024. The Director of Student Behavior and Support, Stephen Granucci, is the person in charge of implementation for the Kern High School District, working with both the County office and school sites.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented

The grant that Kern High School District describes is funded by the Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA) rather than the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Although this is not the funding source we recommended, the grant agreement between Kern High School District and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools will increase students' access to mental heath services. Among other things, the grant provides psychologists to conduct assessments and make available individualized school-based mental health services.

1-Year Agency Response

The Kern High School District is part of a four-year grant awarded to the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, which will increase mental health services within the high school district. A memorandum of understanding between the district and county was approved by the KHSD Board in September 2021 and is expected to be presented to the County Board in October 2021.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented

The grant that Kern High School District describes is funded by the Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA) rather than the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Although this is not the funding source we recommended, the grant agreement between Kern High School District and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools will increase funding for mental heath services. Among other things, the grant provides psychologists to conduct assessments and individualized school based mental health services. Our final assessment is pending documentation that the grant received all necessary approvals.

6-Month Agency Response

Kern High School District did not submit a response to this recommendation.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: No Action Taken

60-Day Agency Response

The Kern High School District will continue to pursue MHSA funding through the county.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2019-125

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.