133 Mission Street Suite 100
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone (831) 429-3410 | Fax (831) 429-3439
Student Academic, Emotional, Mental & Whole Family Support Services
We believe in addressing barriers to student success. Our Student Supports network comprises administrators, social workers, nurses, counselors (academic & clinical) and a wealth of close community partnerships working together to address the broader needs of students.
Student Services is responsible for: Enrollment & Transfers, School Safety Plans, School Health Offices, Crisis Support, Intervention Plans, Discipline, Homeless & Foster Youth Services, Referrals, SARB Hearings & More!
My Student Needs:
I Have Questions About:
Crisis Resources
Emergency:
Call 911
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988
Crisis Line
Text "Talk" to 741741
Abuse (Domestic & Child) & Child Protective Services:
831-454-4222
Academic Supports
Santa Cruz City Schools has built a flexible instruction model, which combines instruction in the whole class, in targeted small groups and one-on-one in order to offer varying levels of support for different learning styles and developmental needs.
What does this mean? It means that instruction can change dynamically around your student in order maximize their progress.
How does it work? Every school has a team of RTI (Response to Intervention) Coordinators who support classroom teachers and provide the small-group and one-on-one instruction to suit specific learning styles.
​
Want to ask for help? Reach out to your school and let them know that you believe your student could use additional support. The best place to start is with your teacher. Your on-site instructional team will be able to organize necessary support, connect your student with Peer Tutors or other options to provide a path to their highest potential.
"We know that to accelerate student learning, we have to be flexible & address the learning style of every student."
- Dorothy Coito
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
Mental Health Supports
We have mental health experts at every school. We're so happy to be among the few districts nationwide to have licensed counselors in elementary & secondary who support students directly and help inform, train and guide behavioral health literacy staff-wide.
​
While we run check-ins and mental health screenings for every student, every year, you can always walk in. If you think your student needs additional or specific support, please reach out to your school's counseling team. The door is always open.
Additionally, classrooms are supported with Mental Health teams. Our counseling and Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) teams provide training & support to teachers to make the classroom a supportive environment for Mental Health.
We also maintain partnerships with many local support resources. There are a lot of resources out there, but we know it can be hard to navigate. Your school team can help you make sense of what's available and make a connection that helps best.
"An effective learning environment relies on comfort, support & stability. Because of this, Mental Health is integral to learning & development."
- Casey O'Brien
Director of Student Support Services
Terms to know:
Behavioral Health: This term encompasses mental health and substance use treatment. There are several levels of care available in Santa Cruz County ranging from private practitioners to safety net services.
​
Integrated Health: This term refers to local medical clinics who incorporate mental health into their primary care practice. Mental health specialists are employed directly by the clinic and are available to patients of the clinic.
The referral to mental health is made by the primary care physician often by having the mental health professional available during the primary care visit so the connection is made in person, in the moment.
​
Safety Net Services: This refers to services available to students who do not have insurance. Some of the students are on Medi Cal while others may not have any insurance. The safety net services will assist families with enrollment in Medi Cal.
​
If you have health insurance you will want to work with your network of providers and your primary care physician to access mental health or substance use services. Check your insurance card for mental health benefits and phone numbers or speak with your primary care physician for a referral. The Affordable Care Act guarantees mental health coverage. However, families may have deductibles or co-pays that make it un-affordable. In this case see our sliding scale providers.
Parenting Supports
It takes a village to raise a child. And no one goes into it as an expert. As we all grow as parents, from time to time we benefit from sharing support, strategies and feelings.
​
From handling behavioral issues to building more positive relationships, exploring positive discipline or improving our approaches to disagreements, we're all working to grow as parents.
​
In addition to the parent connections to be made by getting involved at school (in your students' classroom, your schools PTA/PTO or Booster group, athletic teams or activities, etc.), there are also groups in the community who provide workshops, resources and help for parents.
Partner Resources​
Positive Discipline Community Resources
831-476-7284 x107
Live Oak Family Resource Center
1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Instructional classes, support groups, one-on-one coaching, and training resources
​
Triple P/ Positive Parenting Program
831-465-2217
First 5 Santa Cruz County
4450 Capitola Rd., Suite 106, Capitola, CA 95010
Seminars, workshops, individual and group sessions.
Internet Safety & Resources
Internet and computer literacy is vital for success in the world our students are heading into. The online world is also full of threats, scams and pitfalls & students need to be ready to navigate it.
​
Our Teacher Librarians at every grade provide lessons in computer literacy and internet safety to help students understand how and why to safeguard their identity & privacy, how to approach information with skepticism, how to verify information, and how to avoid the dangers of the internet.
​
Santa Cruz City Schools provides this information to ensure that students, family, staff and community members have access to information that can be utilized to navigate the internet safely.
​
We build curriculum to help turn the treacherous landscape of the internet into an opportunity to help develop as critical thinkers.
​
​
Resources:
Protecting children when they are online – preparing them for journeys on the Internet, and the challenges they will find there - is everyone's responsibility. Working together, we can empower young people on a path to good digital citizenship. As we connect with connected kids, we help make the Internet a safer space to explore, learn and grow.
​
Cyber Surf Islands
An interactive game for 3rd-8th grade students and teaches them how to surf the internet safely.
​
CyberWise
An online education safety site for Parents and Teachers.
![Bayview web-14.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_98b16b8dd5464946b29e0c74ef87e897~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_85,h_128,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/7b2aab_98b16b8dd5464946b29e0c74ef87e897~mv2.jpg)
![Bayview web-17.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_557e0e45faaa4467807b7eb91244b41b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_85,h_57,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/7b2aab_557e0e45faaa4467807b7eb91244b41b~mv2.jpg)
Partnerships & Community Supports:
![Santa-Cruz-County-seal.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_f30fdb1fd768432999db69ef057dc0ee~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_266,y_0,w_973,h_945/fill/w_90,h_87,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/Santa-Cruz-County-seal.png)
800-952-2335
or 831-454-4900
Children’s Mental Health serves all children from ages 0-19 who have Medi Cal. CMH has 38 therapists and three psychiatrists. They also contract with the Parents Center, Encompass-Youth Services, Family Services Agency and they have a walk in clinic.
![22ee79d12f69768b600743bf45f0ab327a946487.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_5532df990cb249978c2525b6333bc39d~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_91,h_91,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/22ee79d12f69768b600743bf45f0ab327a946487.png)
831-429-8350 x0
Encompass's Youth & Family programs offer a spectrum of services for children, youth, and families including counseling, parenting education, and substance use disorder treatment. Staff are trained to work with specialty populations and offer trauma-informed services from a systems perspective.
![download-1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_66c4bcd65e5447a89191c9f9995f3a0e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_91,h_91,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/download-1.jpg)
Santa Cruz: 831-423-9444 x200
Soquel: 831-346-6767 x200
With offices in Santa Cruz and in Soquel, the FSA has counseling available for students and for families. You can be referred directly through your school. FSA charges on a sliding scale based on income, and they also accept MediCal.
![download.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_4c3240c4c75a4490a8ecb1609a8964d8~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_112,h_112,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/7b2aab_4c3240c4c75a4490a8ecb1609a8964d8~mv2.png)
Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF)
With over 100,000 patients PAMF is a major provider of healthcare in our county for those students with insurance. PAMF follows the integrated health model of care. Students whose family are members of PAMF access behavioral health services through their primary care physician. PAMF currently has one child psychiatrist. The model of therapy is brief therapy with clients usually accessing eight visits.
![SCCH.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_d6e6ee3732de4a3aaa5b85faabb9cb62~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_112,h_112,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/7b2aab_d6e6ee3732de4a3aaa5b85faabb9cb62~mv2.jpg)
Santa Cruz Community Health Centers
831-427-3500
At the Eastside Family Health Center, Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center & their Mountain Health Center, SCCH follows the integrated health model. Clients of the clinic are referred to mental health by their primary care physician. Currently SCCHC serves approximately 12,000 patients in Santa Cruz County in English and Spanish to all ages, gender identities, ethnicities, abilities, and sexual orientation, regardless of their ability to pay.
You can go to the Appointments page for information on payment, insurance, and registration. Most insurances accepted, including Medi-Cal, MediCare, Healthy Kids, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Health Net. Sliding fee for those without insurance.
![download.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_cd84af50c31b467aa2e7444b61eca6a3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_112,h_112,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/7b2aab_cd84af50c31b467aa2e7444b61eca6a3~mv2.jpg)
​
More than 50 Kaiser Permanente specialty and primary care doctors are serving members in Santa Cruz County. As our membership grows, Kaiser will continue to add doctors.
![download-1.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_f65aa651f7bd44d0adf53f78d565ec9e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_108,h_108,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/7b2aab_f65aa651f7bd44d0adf53f78d565ec9e~mv2.png)
831-728-0222
Salud is located in south county and can serve our students who live in Watsonville. Salud currently serves 30,000 patients. Salud provides a brief screening for mental health needs. Salud works with Encompass Community Services (Youth Services) to connect patients who need more in depth mental health services. Salud also offers parent education.
Parents Center
831-426-7322
530 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Professional counseling in a confidential atmosphere for parents and children. Parenting skill classes according to a court approved curriculum. Education and counseling for prevention of child abuse and to strengthen families. ELIGIBILITY: Families with children under 18. Appointments required. Call for further information. Waiting list process before getting in for services. FEES: Sliding Scale, MediCal funds accepted.
![LogoPurple.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_8f7edb61298a4c729c29093aed95095f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_173,h_144,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/7b2aab_8f7edb61298a4c729c29093aed95095f~mv2.jpg)
831-425-5422
Each year, The Diversity Center reaches approximately 10,000 individuals that we serve directly through our onsite programs, outreach and education events, our work with school-based Gay/Straight Alliances, and our Triangle Speakers program. We fulfill our mission to build an equitable community where LGBTQ+ people thrive by: Creating connections, building community, and reducing isolation among LGBTQ+ seniors, veterans, youth, and the Latinx community and by Teaching acceptance and providing support for transgender individuals
The Diversity Center offers support groups for teens and their families, education, research and can refer families and students to mental health providers.
![download-2.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_ef20bba1e0b640b9af09e5e9c8591ca3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_141,h_113,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/7b2aab_ef20bba1e0b640b9af09e5e9c8591ca3~mv2.png)
Beacon Health Options
855-765-9700 Toll-free Access Line (24 hours a day/365 days a year)
Beacon administers the mental health benefits for members of the Central Coast Alliance for Health (Alliance). Students with Medi Cal are members of the Alliance. Beacon can connect students to services if they fall under the mild to moderate category of mental health needs. “The Alliance covers outpatient behavioral health services for Medi-Cal members with mild to moderate impairments. Beacon Health Options (Beacon) administers the behavioral health benefit. Mild to moderate behavioral health benefits include:
​
-
Individual and group mental health evaluation and treatment (psychotherapy)
-
Psychological testing (prior authorization required)
-
Medication support services for the purpose of monitoring drug therapy and psychiatric consultation, as needed
-
Outpatient laboratory, drugs, supplies, and supplements.
![download-3.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_c03cf47844e346619c405750d468b7ac~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_126,h_122,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/7b2aab_c03cf47844e346619c405750d468b7ac~mv2.png)
Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center
Information: 831-426-3062
24 Hour Hotline: 1-866-2MY-ALLY (1-866-269-2559)
Services for women and families experiencing domestic violence. Clothing, food, counseling and resources are available. Teen empowerment groups are also offered.
![download-2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7b2aab_18ce0506b0d24d22a2b5613274244c48~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_3,w_225,h_210/fill/w_137,h_128,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/7b2aab_18ce0506b0d24d22a2b5613274244c48~mv2.jpg)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Office: 831-824-0406
Help Line: 831-427-8020
NAMI is an organization dedicated to supporting people who have mental illness and to family and friends of someone with mental illness. They are an advocacy group and work to end the stigma of mental illness. They offer support groups and classes to families of youth with mental illness as well as those who have a mental illness including peer support.
​
“NAMI Santa Cruz County offers practical experience, support, education, comfort and understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and their treatment. In addition, we work with public and private organizations to increase knowledge of effective ways of treating the illnesses while advocating for improved services for individuals with mental illness.”
More Family Resources
Health
-
SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY HEALTH (CENTRO DE SALUD FAMILIAR DE EAST CLIFF)
-
NAMI SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
-
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES
Food
-
FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS/GROCERIES
-
CALFRESH ASSISTANCE
-
WOMEN, INFANT, & CHILDREN (WIC)
-
HOT MEAL PROGRAMS
Student Transcripts & Records
Student records may be requested for a variety of reasons. Due to confidentiality, you must provide a formal records or transcript request for any records.
If you are requesting your own records or transcripts, please contact your school registrar* by submitting a request via fax or email.
If you are requesting your child's records, you may contact your school's registrar by submitting a request via fax or email. If your child is 18 years of age or older, you must have their written and signed consent to release the records.
*While schools are closed, please contact the District Office at (831) 429-3410 ext. 48248 or email elizabethgarciaavila@sccs.net to request a copy of your transcripts.
Santa Cruz City Schools Directory
Official Transcripts
To request official transcripts, please contact your school registrar, and provide the address where you would like the transcript mailed. If you are unable to connect with your school, then please contact the Department of Educational Services at 429-3410 x48248.
Subpoenas
To submit a subpoena for student records, please contact the Director of Student Services at 429-3410 x 48215.
Special Education
To request Special Education records, please contact the Special Education Student Data Technician at 429-3410 x 48217.