The Yolo County Board of Supervisors convened on September 9, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding mental health services and budget considerations. The meeting featured a series of public comments emphasizing the importance of maintaining funding for school-based mental health programs amid proposed budget cuts.

The session began with a discussion on the need for program evaluation statistics related to mental health interventions, particularly focusing on the number of 5150 holds, which indicate individuals in crisis. This data is seen as vital for understanding the community's mental health challenges and the effectiveness of current responses.

Jennifer Mullen, manager of student support services for Davis Joint Unified, highlighted the significance of the K-12 partnership with Communicare, which provides essential mental health support for students. Mullen urged the board to consider options that would not reduce funding for these services, as they are crucial for addressing the growing mental health needs of students.

Public comments included a range of perspectives, with some speakers expressing strong opposition to Communicare's services, particularly regarding gender-affirming care for transgender youth. One concerned mother criticized the board for supporting what she described as harmful practices, while others defended the importance of mental health services for all students, including those identifying as LGBTQ.

Sarah Gavin, chief behavioral and community health officer for Communicare, advocated for the K-12 partnership program, emphasizing its role in providing accessible mental health care directly on school campuses. Gavin expressed concern over the potential mid-year cuts to these services, which could disrupt care for students already receiving support.

Katrina Callaway, assistant superintendent at the Yolo County Office of Education, echoed these sentiments, warning that cuts to mental health funding would not save money but rather shift costs to other areas, such as increased absenteeism and reliance on emergency services.

Liz Sardinas, deputy director of Northern California Children's Therapy Center, and Nicole Arnold, a parent, also spoke in favor of sustaining funding for early intervention programs like Help Me Grow, which provide critical support to vulnerable children and families in the community.

The meeting concluded with a clear call from multiple speakers for the board to reconsider any proposed cuts to mental health services, emphasizing the long-term benefits of investing in early intervention and support for students. The board is expected to deliberate on these issues further, with the community advocating for a thoughtful approach to funding mental health services in Yolo County.