Initiative Description:

The San Mateo County jointly operates five special, therapeutic day schools with the county education office. Each program is staffed by one full-time and one half-time mental health worker, a part-time occupational therapist, a special education teacher and an instructional aide. Each program has a behavior management system and a structured array of program activities to accommodate the groups’ needs.

In Santa Cruz, the Mental Health and Education departments jointly operate six classes integrating mental health and education services.

Riverside combines education, probation, and mental health services in three therapeutic community school programs.

San Mateo Mental Health also provides direct support to some special day classes for those students with SED who are at-risk for residential placement. Mental health resources enhance one class located on a regular elementary school site, and one elementary-aged class on a segregated special education site. Each class consists of six or seven students and is staffed by a full-tune special education teacher, one full-time and one part-time instructional assistant, and mental health sponsored half-time regular and creative arts therapists

Study Results:Attendance levels across all programs was high.

Reference: Rosenblatt, A., & Attkisson, C. C. (1997). Integrating systems of care in California for youth with severe emotional disturbance IV: educational attendance and achievement. Journal Of Child & Family Studies, 6113-129.

Level of Evidence: Very Good