Student Support
Student Support and Health Services
Student Support and Health Services (SSHS) offers a wide range of social, emotional, and health resources to help students thrive. We promote attendance and a positive school climate by focusing on the whole child, providing critical support services and removing barriers to learning.
Our vision is to serve all students with compassion and care, ensuring families have equitable access to systems of support that promote hope, resilience, empowerment, physical & mental wellness, and educational success.
Community Schools at SCUSD
What Are Community Schools?
Community schools are the future of public education. Schools partner with parents, guardians and organizations to create the conditions students need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Community members are engaged to advise how community school grant funding should be invested to meet the unique needs of students and their families. Each designated community school site has an embedded staff member whose job is to connect with stakeholders and elevate their voices to the district Community School Specialist to inform how funds will be spent.
Community Schools Improve:
We Are Currently Implementing The Community School Model At 18 SCUSD Schools:
Crisis Resources
Do You Or Someone You Know Need Help?
You are not alone. Call, text or scan the resources below.
Save a Life
Is a student sick or has lost consciousness? Get help immediately from school staff. Rescue efforts are available throughout the school (including Narcan).
Foster Youth Services
Foster Youth Services (FYS) – a group of school professionals with expertise in the both educational and social service systems – joined the SSHS family in 2018. The FYS program is designed to serve the unique educational, social and emotional needs of children in foster care by building assets that make them resilient and ultimately successful. FYS began operating in 1973 in SCUSD. Our program has successfully served thousands of foster youth, markedly improving their school performance and increasing their chances for success later in life.
Health Services
Healthy Students Learn Better
We recognize the connection between health and academic achievement, and the importance of using evidence-based policies and practices to promote student health and wellness. Health Services credentialed school nurses, teachers, and staff provide health-related interventions, assessments, screenings, education, procedures, and referrals. We are health advocates for children by assisting families and communities to manage health problems and enable students to access to learning.
Homeless Education Services
The McKinney-Vento- Education for Homeless Children & Youths act provides protections for students who are unhoused/homeless, including enrollment rights (see below: Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused). The SCUSD Homeless Services Office supports the enrollment, attendance, and achievement of students who are experiencing homelessness to ensure they receive equal access to educational opportunities.
- Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused.Russian
- Board Policy 6173
- Administrative Regulation 6173
- AB 1806 Summary: Homeless Youth Credit Issuance & Exemption from Graduation Requirements
- Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused.English
- Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused.Chinese
- Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused.Farsi
- Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused.Hmong
- Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused.Spanish
- Rights for Students Who Are Unhoused.Vietnamese
- Homeless Services Flyer March 2023
- Francis House Street Sheet Feb 2021
- Veterans Services- VOA 2021
- Wind Youth Services
- CalWorks Housing Support Program 2022
- Sacramento County Access- Mental Health Services 2021
- SCUSD Housing Survey.English
- SCUSD Housing Survey.Farsi
- SCUSD Housing Survey.Hmong
- SCUSD Housing Survey.Chinese
- SCUSD Housing Survey.Spanish
- SCUSD Housing Survey.Vietnamese
- Read more
LGBTQ Support Services
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer
SCUSD’s LGBTQ+ Support Services Program aims to provide school sites the resources and district support to meet the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and families. Through advocacy, community building, and education, the support services program seeks to create an environment for all students to feel safe and affirmed.
Visit the LGBTQ Support Services linktree.
Know Your Rights
According to State laws, our Board of Education policy and March 2023 Trans Day of Visibility Resolution, the following protections are in place for SCUSD staff and students:
- Students and staff shall be referred to by their affirmed name, gender and pronouns.
- Students have the right to access the gender segregated facilities that align with their gender identity (i.e. restrooms, locker rooms)
- Students have the right to freely access gender-neutral facilities, such as single stall restrooms. Each single-stall restroom is to be clearly labeled as “gender neutral,” “all gender,” etc.
- On overnight field trips, students have the right to access the sleeping quarters that align with their gender identity.
- Students have the right to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity.
- Students and staff have the right to use their affirmed name, gender and pronouns in yearbooks and other non-legal school documents (e.g., school ID, class roster, diplomas and other certificates).
- Students and staff may follow the dress code rules of the gender with which they identify.
Every school site has a designated LGBTQ liaison if you need additional support. These liaisons are SCUSD staff members who have received training in supporting our LGBTQ students and staff. If your school has a Support Center, Support Center staff serve as your LGBTQ liaison. You can look up whether your school has a Support Center and find contact information for your liaison here. If your school does not have a Support Center, your LGBTQ liaison is your Principal. You may also reach out to the district-wide LGBTQ+ Support Services program, housed at the Connect Center here.
Support
Services include mentorship, SCUSD staff consultation, LGBTQ+ SafeZone Trainings, school-based events, Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) club support, and information/referral. Click here to connect!
Training
SCUSD staff and students are encouraged to participate in an LGBTQ+ SafeZone Training to learn more about the queer and transgender community, laws and policies, and how to create an affirming environment. Request a Safe Zone training.
Collaboration & Advocacy
The LGBTQ+ Task Force offers a space each month for school district staff, community partner organizations, and students to come together to share resources and collaborate in ways to ensure student wellbeing and safety for our queer and transgender youth. Join our mailing list and receive program updates!
Crisis Lines & Resources
Crisis Resources
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Trans
Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
- Trevor Project (866) 488-7386 (or text START to: 678-678)
Local Resources
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Gender Health
Center: Gender Health Center is focused on providing
an accessible therapy and counseling program for the gender
variant community. They are interested in developing a
collaboration with other agencies that are committed to
addressing the full spectrum of issues specific to the
transgender community in a positive approach for getting people
to understand that there is a better life when gender identity
issues are addressed in a safe and supportive
environment.
(916) 455-2391
Instagram: @genderhealthsac
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Lavender
Library: The Lavender Library is an all-volunteer-run
lending library, archive, and community space with LGBTQ+
books, films and more. They are a hub of learning and
connection for Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community.
(916) 492-0558
Instagram: @sacllace
-
Legal Services of Northern
California: Since 1956, Legal Services of Northern
California (LSNC) has provided free quality legal services that
empower marginalized and underserved communities to challenge
inequities and discriminatory practices
(916) 551-2150
Instagram: @lsnorcal
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Sacramento LGBT Community
Center: The Sacramento LGBT Community Center works to
create a region where LGBTQ+ people thrive. They support
the health and wellness of the most marginalized, advocate for
equality and justice, and work to build a culturally rich
LGBTQ+ community.
(916) 442-0185
Instagram: @saclgbtcenter
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Trans Families
Sacramento/PFLAG Sacramento (Parents, Families and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays): PFLAG promotes the health and
well‐being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons,
their families and friends through: support, to cope with an
adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill‐informed
public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal
civil rights.
(916) 978‐0410
Instagram: @pflag
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WEAVE: WEAVE is
the primary provider of crisis intervention services for
survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento
County. WEAVE’s mission is to promote safe and healthy
relationships and support survivors of sexual assault, domestic
violence and sex trafficking. WEAVE’s vision is a community
free of violence and abuse.
(916) 448-2321
Instagram: @weaveinc
National Resources
-
The Trevor
Project: The Trevor Project operates the only accredited,
nationwide, around the clock crisis and suicide prevention
helpline for LGBTQ+ youth. (866) 488-7386 (Available 24/7). The
Trevor Project aims to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people by
offering support through crisis services, peer support,
research, public education and advocacy.
(866) 488-7386
Instagram: @trevorproject
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GLSEN (The Gay,
Lesbian and Straight Education Network): GLSEN is the
leading national education organization focused on ensuring
safe schools for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
students.
Instagram: @glsen
-
National Center for
Transgender Equality: The National Center for
Transgender Equality is the nation’s leading social justice
advocacy organization winning life-saving change for
transgender people.
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Transgender Law
Center: Transgender Law Center changes law, policy,
and attitudes so that all people can live safely,
authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their
gender identity or expression.
Instagram: @translawcenter
-
Gender
Spectrum: Gender Spectrum’s mission is to create a
gender-inclusive world for all children and youth.
Instagram: @gender_spectrum
-
Family
Acceptance Project: The Family Acceptance Project
focuses on reducing risk and promoting well-being among LGBTQ
children and youth by increasing family support. FAP is a
research, education and intervention initiative, affiliated
with San Francisco State University.
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Trans Student
Educational Resources: Trans Student Educational
Resources is a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming
the educational environment for trans and gender nonconforming
students through advocacy and empowerment.
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Brown Boi
Project: The Brown Boi Project is a community of
people working across race and gender to eradicate sexism,
homophobia and transphobia and create healthy frameworks of
masculinity and change.
Instagram: @brownboifam
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GSA Network: GSA
Network is a next-generation LGBTQ+ racial and gender justice
organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied
youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an
intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier
communities.
Instagram: @gsanetwork
Support for Pregnant & Parenting Students
Student Support & Health Services (SSHS)’ Pregnant and Parenting Students program is focused on supporting the well-being of SCUSD adolescent parents and their babies. Our goal is to maintain students’ academic success and support life skills to enter the world, college or career ready.
Once a student is identified as pregnant or parenting, a referral form is sent to the program Coordinator. The Coordinator will meet with the student to complete a collaborative assessment and provide them a welcome packet. The packet contains resources for health care, birth control, lactation rights and their student rights and protection under Title IX.
Title IX protects students who are pregnant, parenting or who have been pregnant from being excluded from or participating in any part of an educational program. SSHS will partner with community agencies to refer students for comprehensive services and support when needed. With strategic partnerships, SSHS’ goal is to improve the knowledge and skills of adolescent parents to be advocates in their own education, successful parents and have healthy transitions into adulthood.
Section 504 Accommodations
The Student Support & Health Services Department provides district oversight of Section 504 Accommodations.
- 504 Plan Development Checklist
- 504 Plan
- Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Information
- CAHSEE Waiver
- Consent for 504 Evaluation
- Discharge Form
- Manifestation Determination
- Parent/ Guardian Notice of Meeting
- Eligibility Determination Worksheet
- Referral for Consideration of 504 Determination
- Section 504 Handbook
- Parent Rights - English
- Parent Rights - Spanish
- Parent Rights - Hmong
- Parent Rights - Russian
- Parent Rights - Chinese
- Parent Rights - Vietnamese
- Read more
Student Support Centers
SSHS operates Student Support Centers at schools throughout the district to provide support to students who are struggling socially, emotionally, behaviorally and/or academically. At each center, a coordinator works closely with school staff to identify students in need of assistance. Once identified, social workers, family advocates, interns, and community partners work directly with students and parents to address issues that are of concern to them, drawing on other resources for additional support.
Mental Health, Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention
A variety of mental health services are available to students experiencing social or emotional difficulties. With specially trained staff and a wide array of community mental health providers, Student Support and Health Services staff provide services directly to students and families.