According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 20% of school-aged children and teens experience at least one mental health problem during their school years including stress, anxiety, bullying, family problems, depression, a learning disability, or alcohol and substance abuse. To meet the mental health needs of its students, Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) is increasing resources and personalized support to provide students with an environment where they can become successful, responsible, and contributing citizens who are happy and healthy in all aspects.
The National Association of School Psychologists’ website states that mental health is critical to children’s success in school and in life. When children receive positive mental health support, they achieve higher academic success and their feeling of well-being improves. GGUSD believes in supporting the whole child and has expanded school-based mental health services.
GGUSD has hired Social Worker Clara D’Agostino to oversee a group of interns currently pursuing graduate degrees in social work to provide prevention services, on-site counseling and case management for at-risk students at high-need GGUSD elementary, intermediate, and high schools. D’Agostino is experienced in providing support and extensive training to staff, teachers, and administrators within the district on effective implementation of school mental health services. D’Agostino specializes in developing programs to improve areas like dropout prevention, safe schools, and mental health wellness.
The program will also collect data to monitor the success of targeted social, behavioral and emotional interventions throughout the year. This will help the district improve mental health services for all students as it continues to collaborate with local universities to expand the social work program. The district’s goal is for the program to provide a structure that allows for earlier detection of mental health issues, as well as a system that works in supporting those needs. The new social workers are one addition to the district’s comprehensive mental health services.
Media Contact
Company Name: Garden Grove Unified School District
Contact Person: Abby Milone
Email: Send Email
Phone: (714) 663-6000
Address:10331 Stanford Ave.
City: Garden Grove
State: CA 92840
Country: United States
Website: http://www.ggusd.us/