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Colton Joint Unified outlines student mental-health, case-management and wellness-center supports
Summary
Antonio Castro, director of the district’s Behavioral and Mental Health Department, described short-term therapy by master’s-level social work clinicians, bachelor’s-level case management supports and campus wellness centers staffed by associate clinical social workers; families can refer via school counselors or administrators.
"Wellness matters," Antonio Castro said as he opened a brief presentation on the Colton Joint Unified School District’s behavioral and mental health services. Castro identified himself as director of the district’s Behavioral and Mental Health Department and said the department’s mission is to support students and families so they can thrive in and out of the classroom.
The department outlined three core elements of its approach. First, the district’s mental-health program provides short-term therapy for students delivered by master’s-level social work clinicians. The program accepts referrals from school counselors, administrators or teachers and focuses on emotional well-being and building coping skills.
Second, the district described a case management program staffed by bachelor’s-level social work interns who work with families to connect them with immediate needs, including food, clothing, immigration assistance and medical insurance. The presentation said caregivers can make referrals through their school counselor or an administrator.
Third, on-campus wellness centers were presented as safe spaces for students staffed by associate clinical social workers. The centers emphasize early intervention and prevention and offer quick check-ins, assistance with crisis situations, and guidance on coping and self-regulation to promote readiness to learn.
Castro closed by reaffirming the department’s commitment: "At the Behavioral and Mental Health Department, we are proud to support our students, their families, and our community." The presentation did not include budget figures, implementation timelines, or formal actions; contact and referral pathways were described as the primary access points for families.
