Novato Unified presents positive wellness-hub evaluation as student visits climb

Novato Unified staff on Tuesday reported that its high‑school wellness hubs, now in their third year, are reaching more students and helping normalize mental‑health supports on campus.

Anna McGee, who introduced the district's wellness update, said the evaluation conducted under the Behavioral Health Student Services Act showed broader reach and improved staffing models. "We were inundated the 1st few days of school," wellness specialist Sarah Suval said, describing unexpectedly high early usage, particularly from freshmen. Staff said the hubs averaged roughly 220 unique student visits per month and that "brain breaks" and low‑barrier check‑ins helped connect students to follow‑up services.

Presenters described staffing at high schools with certified wellness coaches and interns, partnerships with Bay Area Community Resources and North Marin Community Services, and efforts to expand bilingual staff and parent engagement. Kaylee Keane, the San Marin wellness specialist, said hubs provide immediate crisis support and coordinate longer‑term services with community providers so students can return to learning.

Trustees praised the program's impact on attendance and school climate and pressed staff to clarify funding and sustainability as some federal grants wound down. Joshua Braff, the district's chief business official, noted the district was examining multi‑payer and county funding strategies to sustain services.

The board did not take formal action on the report; staff recommended continuing outreach, increasing bilingual staffing and strengthening cost‑allocation processes for next year.