Report 2019-125 Recommendation 20 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 #20 To: Gateway Public Schools

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 2023

We were told by the County that we don't have access MHSA funding. We continue to pursue other ways to bring mental health service to our campuses. That includes applying for grants, an expanded MFT partnership with University of San Francisco, additional school based services in collaborations with SFUSD.

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

Gateway Charter stated that the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) verbally informed it that it was ineligible for MHSA funds. However, SFUSD's leadership team could not recall any conversations with anyone at Gateway Charter about MHSA funding. SFUSD also stated that Gateway Charter's eligibility for MHSA funding is a decision to be made by the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH). We encourage Gateway Charter to contact SFDPH to determine whether it may apply for MHSA funding to employ additional school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, and school psychologists.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2022

We were told by the County that we don't have access MHSA funding. We continue to pursue other ways to bring mental health service to our campuses. That includes applying for grants, an expanded MFT partnership with University of San Francisco, additional school based services in collaborations with SFUSD.

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

Although Gateway Charter is legally allowed to apply for this funding, its response indicates that the county has identified different priorities for these funds. Because Gateway Charter attempted to coordinate with the county to obtain access to these funds, we consider this recommendation to be fully implemented.

1-Year Agency Response

We have increased access to mental health professionals through partnerships with universities and local programs. We have not been able to receive funding. We have also inquired about the funding and we were informed we were not eligible. However, our students are benefiting from increased access to mental health professionals. Thanks for the suggestion however.

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

Gateway staff indicated that the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) verbally informed them that Gateway was ineligible for MHSA funds. We contacted SFUSD to confirm that it told Gateway that it was ineligible for MHSA funds, but SFUSD did not respond to our request for clarification. Gateway should continue to request MHSA funding or provide documentation showing that it has been informed that it is ineligible.

60-Day Agency Response

Gateway Public Schools did not submit a response to this recommendation.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: No Action Taken

6-Month Agency Response

Gateway Public Schools did not submit a response to this recommendation.

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

All Recommendations in 2019-125

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.