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YCJUSD presents state-funded community schools grants and wellness centers; districts add private therapy booths
Summary
District mental-health staff described a five-year community schools grant (2024–2029) funding wellness centers at multiple campuses and the rollout of ZenBooth therapy booths, which add dedicated spaces and increased therapy capacity for students.
District mental-health leaders told the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District board on Sept. 9 that state grant funding is expanding on-site counseling and wellness spaces across several campuses.
Dr. Lauren Wiley, the district mental-health services coordinator, said the community schools grant is a five-year award (2024–2029) chosen as part of the governor’s master plan for children’s mental health and that five district schools were selected for the program. "After listening to our community, we've prioritized social, emotional, behavioral supports," Wiley said, noting that new wellness centers are already open at Oak View and Mesa View and are staffed by mental-health associates.
Wiley described the wellness centers as drop-in spaces where students can spend up to 15 minutes checking in with staff and using calming tools to regulate before returning to class. The district has hired mental-health associates to staff centers and said these staff reduce load on school counselors so counselors can focus more on academics and caseloads requiring specialized attention.
Kayla Gray, one of the district’s behavioral health counselors, described early experience with ZenBooth therapy booths—private, enclosed spaces intended for short counseling sessions and 1-on-1 work. Gray said the booths help create dedicated, consistent environments for therapy and estimated that one booth at the high school opened roughly 15 new therapy slots. The district has an RFP out to determine whether ZenBooth will be the continuing vendor.
Board members praised the wellness centers and VAPA supports funded through Prop 28 and the community schools grant, noting positive student reactions during site tours and grand openings. Wiley credited the grants and cross-department teamwork—business services, facilities and purchasing—for quickly locating space and equipping sites.
Administrators said they plan to continue aligning services across sites to ensure consistent access to mental-health supports districtwide. No formal board action beyond receiving the presentation was taken.
