Published October 1, 2024

San Mateo County, CA – On Monday, September 30, the San Mateo County Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities, in partnership with the County Board of Supervisors, County Health, Peninsula Healthcare District, Sequoia Healthcare District, more than 20 public agencies, school districts, and community-based organizations, released its United for Youth: Vision 2030 to support youth behavioral health across the county.

The Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities is a collaborative, multi-agency group that includes representatives throughout San Mateo County in education, law enforcement, fire, public safety, behavioral health, child welfare, probation, law, and local government. The Coalition's mission is to identify and address the safety needs of San Mateo County youth by developing and implementing best practices in emergency preparedness, youth mental health, and crisis response, supported by a legally sound information-sharing framework.

The Coalition launched its United for Youth initiative in 2023 to address the growing behavioral health challenges faced by school-aged and transitional-aged youth. Over the past year, the initiative’s Steering Committee and four cross-sector workgroups conducted a behavioral health landscape analysis, discussed relevant topics such as workforce and funding opportunities, and gathered input from youth, caregivers, and community members to develop a final Plan of Action.

The Plan outlines five strategic priorities and several actionable steps for public and private partners to focus their resources on improving the behavioral health of young people over a six-year timeline. The five priority areas are:

  1. Expand prevention and education efforts that promote social-emotional well-being
  2. Improve early identification of youth behavioral health needs and facilitate access to services to address these needs
  3. Facilitate greater access to a full range of youth-centered behavioral health treatment services
  4. Invest in the existing and emerging behavioral health workforce and promote diversity and sustainability
  5. Leverage available public and private funding and other resources, including technology

The Plan emphasizes strengthening systems by prioritizing resources to support populations experiencing the greatest disparities, including Black/African American, Pacific Islander, and Latino/a/x youth and families; LGBTQ+ youth and families; youth in foster care; and youth involved in the justice system.

“These priorities help us collectively focus our resources and strategies to support youth behavioral health more effectively,” said Nancy Magee, San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools. “I am thankful for the collaborative partnerships that helped shape this work and look forward to sharing it with all youth-serving agencies and community groups. Together, we can help create better conditions for young people to uplift and support their behavioral health.”  

Following the Plan of Action’s release, the Coalition’s Steering Committee, with the 51³Ô¹Ï as the “backbone” organization, will host broad and targeted convenings to help community leaders understand the Plan and advocate for greater involvement and resources to improve youth behavioral health. 

The implementation of United for Youth strategies is supported by the County Board of Supervisors, who dedicated $500,000 per year for three years from Measure K funds, as well as a blend of other public and private funding sources.

For more information about the United for Youth Plan of Action, visit the County Office of Education’s website.