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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2023
Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Los Angeles Unified Sponsored Legislation Supporting Student Health, Wellness and Attendance
Los Angeles, CA (Oct. 10, 2023) – Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation this past weekend that will benefit Los Angeles Unified students by signing landmark legislation co-sponsored by the District that will help schools better support student needs.
AB 483 (Muratsuchi) will reform Medi-Cal reimbursement and billing processes, making it easier for schools to expand access to school-based health services, including mental health supports. The bill will improve existing state policies and help ensure the efficient delivery of available services to the most disadvantaged children. Further SB 551 (Portantino) on student mental health funding was mostly incorporated into SB 326 (Eggman) which will create a ballot measure to overhaul the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).
“Today’s youth face an epidemic of mental stressors in their personal and academic lives,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “As education and civic leaders, we must ensure that we provide personalized support and eliminate barriers to ensure regular school attendance so youth can achieve their full potential. These bills strengthen intergovernmental collaboration to ensure that the investments Californians committed to addressing the needs of youth will go toward those goals. We thank Governor Newsom and the legislature for their commitment to helping all children thrive.”
The District, alongside partners, advocated tirelessly for the inclusion of youth and education professionals on the county mental health boards which will help ensure a greater representation and consideration of the needs of youth that could potentially result in more school-based mental health services.
Lastly, last month, Governor Newsom signed SB 223 (Menjivar) to authorize local educational agencies to apply to the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC) to offer specialized training to school counselors, social workers and psychologists on how to best support consistent attendance and student welfare as part of the Child Welfare and Attendance authorization. Once a program is approved by the CTC, Los Angeles Unified will be able to expand in-house training and preparation programs as a mechanism to strengthen recruitment efforts. The passage of SB 223 further supports the District’s ongoing efforts to leverage more than 500 Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counselors to address barriers to school attendance by applying evidence-based and promising interventions.
“The legislation recently signed by Governor Newsom — AB 483, SB 223 and SB 326 —opens up new avenues for improved support and resources for our students, making it easier for schools to provide essential health services, mental health care and effective child welfare and attendance services,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “I extend my sincere thanks to Assemblymembers Muratsuchi and Menjivar, Senators Portantino and Eggman, Governor Gavin Newsom, and everyone who played a role in the passage and signature of these bills.”
“Student mental health should be one of the main priorities for all of us,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “In order for students to learn effectively, they must be in good health, both physically and mentally which is why AB 143 and SB 223 are so important.”
“We thank Governor Newsom and our legislators for underscoring the need for policy enhancement to uplift school attendance as well as wellness and mental health support for our students,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “Our youth have faced unprecedented circumstances over the past few years and we remain committed to providing them with the resources they need to succeed in school and in their daily lives.”
“Thank you, Governor Newsom for your support on these bills that will help our District prioritize wellness,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “Neighborhood public schools are the heart of our communities, providing students and their families with ready access to essential resources.”
“As a school district with more than 80% of our student population living in poverty, we are grateful to the Legislature for passing—and to the Governor for signing—these landmark bills co-sponsored by LA Unified to provide more of the support services our kids need to learn and thrive,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said.
“Expanding access to mental and physical health supports at schools will provide immeasurable benefits to our students and their families,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “With additional training for counselors and school psychologists as well as reduced bureaucracy, we can meet this critical moment as our students continue to recover from the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“This legislation marks a significant moment for Los Angeles Unified,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “With these co-sponsored bills, we are reaffirming our commitment to our students’ holistic growth, ensuring they have access to mental health services, healthcare and enhanced support by our school staff. It is essential to provide the resources for our students to thrive in every aspect of their lives.”
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