SPUSD Offers Mental Healthcare Resources to Students, Families and Employees through Care Solace Program

Care Solace’s navigation system uses proprietary technology and the largest database of behavioral and mental healthcare resources in California to find carefully vetted local therapists and programs in minutes

SPUSD PRESS RELEASE:

South Pasadena Unified School District has selected Care Solace, an organization designed to calm the chaos of mental healthcare coordination, to support behavioral and mental referrals for students, families and employees. Care Solace offers a web-based tool that makes it easier to connect with local mental healthcare resources and providers.

“School is more than a place to learn, it’s a place where students come to feel embraced, included and supported,” said SPUSD Executive Director of Student Support Services Dr. Dennis LeFevre. “Especially during times when our families, students, and employees are facing unprecedented challenges, we are committed to offering solutions that strengthen the health and safety of our learning community.”

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According to Child Trends, a leading research organization focused on the lives of the most vulnerable children, quick and easy access to evidence-based intervention offers the best opportunity to reduce the burden of economic and health costs associated with mental health disorders. Care Solace’s navigation system uses proprietary technology and the largest database of behavioral and mental healthcare resources in California to find carefully vetted local therapists and programs in minutes.

SPUSD students and employees – along with their family members – will also have access to an around-the-clock Care Concierge team, where experts guide families through processes related to insurance, provider availability, wait times and scheduling. Care Solace also offers its support in multiple languages such as English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. If an individual speaks a different language, Care Solace will find the translation services needed.

“By partnering with South Pasadena Unified, we’re paving a new path forward to connect individuals with verified community-based resources in times of need,” said Chad Castruita, founder of Care Solace. “There are many barriers that make it difficult for schools and families to get mental healthcare. We want to lift that burden so they can focus on what’s most important – getting well.”

Care Solace provides the network to help determine when support is needed and assists in coordinating community-based mental healthcare options. Professional counseling also is available through online therapy sessions to assist people who may have limited access to behavioral and mental healthcare resources and providers. Last year, more than 80,000 school staff and parents used the pre-screening tool, and at least 30,000 students received mental healthcare services as a result. Care Solace has facilitated an estimated 4,000 crisis interventions. Care Solace is now available to SPUSD families and employees and more information may be found here.

About South Pasadena Unified School District

Established in 1886, the South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) serves approximately 4,800 students within five schools including three elementary schools, one middle school and one comprehensive high school in South Pasadena, California.  Nestled in the West San Gabriel Valley, SPUSD has earned a reputation for providing high quality public education, attracting families who value challenging academic programs and outstanding teachers. Consistently recognized for superior performance, SPUSD students earn honors at the local, state and national level.  The District draws vital support from parents and community members through the South Pasadena Educational Foundation, local PTAs and booster clubs.

About Care Solace

Care Solace is on a mission to calm the chaos associated with mental healthcare coordination for high school and college students. The organization’s web-based system works alongside multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) as a tool for school staff and families to connect with community-based mental healthcare resources and providers. The proprietary care navigation system taps into a vast database of mental healthcare resources to find carefully vetted local therapists and programs in minutes. In 2019, more than 80,000 school staff and parents used the Care Solace pre-screening tool. At least 30,000 students received mental healthcare support as a result.