Report 2019-125 Recommendation 19 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 #19 To: Charter Academy of the Redwoods
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 September 2023
The MHSA funding is used by the county to administer programs. The funding is not something we can receive directly. We have participated in some of their suicide prevention training as well as the Youth Mental Health First Aid, but have since started using a different source for training. We partnered with local agencies to provide part-time counselor and additional mentor support. We provide 16 hours of counseling and 8 hours of mentor to support students.
- Completion Date: August 2021
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Resolved
Redwoods Charter states that it is not eligible to receive MHSA funds because of the way in which its county uses them. Thus, we consider this recommendation resolved. However, Redwoods Charter's response does not indicate that it has hired the recommended number of psychologists, nurses, or social workers. Until it does so, we encourage Redwoods Charter to pursue other methods for employing the recommended number of individuals in those positions.
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2022
The school employees a part-time counselor through an outside agency.
- Completion Date: August 2021
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Partially Implemented
Although the Charter Academy of the Redwoods does receive some funding from the Mendocino County Youth Project for mental health services, it has not provided any evidence that it has requested MHSA funding to employ additional school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, and school psychologists. We still believe that it should attempt to obtain MHSA funding to employ sufficient professionals of these types to meet the State's recommended staffing levels.
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
1-Year Agency Response
The school employees a part-time counselor through an outside agency.
- Completion Date: August 2021
- Response Date: September 2021
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented
Although Redwoods Academy has retained a part-time counselor, its response does not indicate that it has hired the recommended number of psychologists, nurses, or social workers. Thus, Redwoods Academy should coordinate with Mendocino County to request MHSA funding to employ individuals in those positions.
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
6-Month Agency Response
Charter Academy of the Redwoods did not submit a response for this recommendation.
- Estimated Completion Date: unknown
- Response Date: August 2021
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: No Action Taken
60-Day Agency Response
The LEA has not contact the county office of education regarding MHSA funding. An LEA representative will reach out to the county in the spring.
- Estimated Completion Date: June 2021
- Response Date: November 2020
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: No Action Taken
All Recommendations in 2019-125
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.