Sequoia Falls program serves students with complex needs and coordinates on‑site mental‑health services

The board received an overview of Sequoia Falls, the district’s trauma‑informed alternative program for students with behavioral‑health needs and complex barriers to engagement. Staff reported Sequoia served about 108 students during the prior year and facilitated GED proficiency/completion exams and re‑engagement supports.

Staff emphasized the program’s partnerships with community mental‑health providers: "we had nine last year. We have eight this year. We have memorandums of understanding with the district and those are for every school in the district and hybrid," a staff presenter said. Board members asked how referrals are triaged and how families without insurance receive care; staff described a family‑support advocate role that helps assess needs, assists with insurance enrollment, and matches students with contracted therapists who provide push‑in services at school sites.

Officials characterized the service model as cost‑effective for the district because contracted therapists bill insurance rather than the district: "it's nothing to us because the therapist bill their insurance — other than your time," a presenter said, explaining the district's coordination workload but limited direct billing responsibility. The board requested continued updates on capacity and outcomes; there was no action vote on funding at the meeting.