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District outlines plan to use behavioral health funds; seeks one‑year Ripple Effects contract
Summary
Century Unified plans to use roughly $330,001 in behavioral health initiative funds through 2026 to expand school-based interventions and seeks board action in August to approve a one-year Ripple Effects contract; district intends to pilot and bill services under the grant.
Century Unified staff told trustees July 22 they have received approximately $330,001 in Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative funds to be spent by 2026 and are seeking board authorization to place a Ripple Effects contract on the August 12 agenda for action.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lopez said $140,000 of those funds are allocated for materials and supplies and the proposed contract would provide lesson plans and a digital platform that intervention counselors and specialists can use to deliver multi‑session interventions to students. The district piloted the Ripple Effects platform at three sites; staff reported counselors’ usage data and supervisor testimonials were positive and that the platform offers lessons intended to run six to eight weeks.
Lopez said the contract would initially be for one year; district staff plan to gather broader district-level data about usage and effectiveness during that period. The plan is to build staff capacity so counselors can bill eligible services under the behavioral health initiative; Lopez said the district expects to bill private insurance where appropriate and that billing capacity is part of the grant-supported work.
Trustees asked for additional information before action, including pilot usage data and testimonials, plans for evaluating district-wide effectiveness (measures mentioned include student connectedness, suspension rates, and chronic absenteeism), and a sustainability plan for ongoing costs if the district expands the service beyond the grant period. Dr. Lopez said she would supply that information and recommended the item be placed on the August 12 agenda for board action.
