With each passing year, the need for mental health services continues to grow for students and families in Riverside County, and the Riverside County Office of Education’s Mental Health Initiative continues to expand to meet the challenge with new grant funding for the 2022-2023 school year.
The impact of the initiative is best evidenced by the development of CAREspace, a dedicated location for students to re-charge, re-focus, and get into the right head space for learning while providing access to mental health and related services to students, families, schools, and the community of Riverside County. The “CARE” in CAREspace refers to Community, Access, Relationships, and Emotional Wellness.
![CAREspace video still image of student relaxing, reading book on couch with tropical wall mural behind her.](/home/showpublishedimage/8644/637968436523200000)
See CAREspace First Year Celebration of Success Video
Originally opened to serve students on August 16, 2021, CAREspace was celebrated with an
official ribbon-cutting ceremony held on September 28, 2021, at the David L. Long Regional Learning Center in Murrieta. Since that time, an additional nine locations throughout Riverside County have provided thousands of counseling sessions and become an established destination for students and families seeking mental health support.
“The impact of CAREspace in only its first year has been powerful for students, families, and educators seeking resources to address their mental health needs,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “When we opened the first CAREspace in 2021, we knew that this was only the beginning, and we are grateful for our partners and grant providers who will be helping us reach additional students and families for many years to come.”
Fresh Funding Fueling Expansion
Riverside County Office of Education’s (RCOE) Alternative Education Unit has recently been awarded three grants to continue to support the behavioral and mental health needs of students and families across alternative education programs, via the Mental Health Initiative and CAREspace.
Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA)
In collaboration with Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health (RUHS-BH), Hemet Unified School District, and Riverside Unified School District, RCOE was awarded the Mental Health Student Services Act (MHSSA) grant. The Transforming Our Partnerships for Student Success (TOPSS) team was designed to increase support, resources, and services, for high school students in areas such as mental health, physical health, emotional health, nutrition, and lifestyle through the results of the RUHS-BH Whole Person Health Score (WPHS). An additional $562,247 was awarded to RCOE’s Alternative Education Unit over the next five years to hire a licensed therapist to support the behavioral mental health needs of students.
Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP)
In collaboration with Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Inland Health Care Plan (IEHP), Molina Health Care, Hemet Unified School District, Palm Springs Unified School District, Nuview Union School District, and Leadership Military Academy, RCOE was awarded the Student Behavioral Health and Incentive Program (SBHIP) grant. SBHIP was designed to improve coordination between Managed Health Care plans (MCP) and Local Education Agencies (LEA) to develop and increase access to preventative, early intervention, and behavioral health services for children in public schools TK-12th grade.
Desert Healthcare District and Foundation (DHDF)
In collaboration with the University of California, Riverside (UCR), the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation (DHDF) grant will expand CAREspace services in the Coachella Valley to improve access, awareness, and availability, of behavioral health education and prevention services to children 0-18 and their families. Targeted services will include individual counseling, family counseling, parent workshops, classroom presentations, and staff training. A total of $500,000 was awarded to UCR and RCOE’s Alternative Education Unit over the next 2 years.
Fast Facts on CAREspace First Year Impact
- 10 Riverside County CAREspace locations
- 1,538 individuals in Riverside County received CAREspace services
- Over 2,600 counseling sessions provided
- Over 20 events and awareness; additional 400 individuals served
- Over 5,000 unique website page views
- Increased emotional and mental wellness for students and families
- 23 Riverside County School Districts served
- Dr. Gomez, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, presented CAREspace at the Student Mental Health and Wellness: How Diverse Models Best Serve Kids and Communities State Legislative Briefing
In addition, CAREspace was highlighted as part of the Mental Health Initiative at the 2022 State of Education. Referral forms, frequently asked questions, and updates on programs and services connected with CAREspace are available on the CAREspace website.