On Oct. 7, the Alisal Union School District Board approved, 4-1, an agreement with Monterey County Behavioral Health's Rainbow Connections Program to increase on-campus LGBTQ+ mental health services for no cost to students and their families.
Trustee Jesús Velásquez opposed the agreement.
Rainbow Connections aids LGBTQ+ students and their families with mental health services is a collaborative effort among school districts, MCBH and community partners. MCBH invested $7.8 million in this program to support LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and under for five years. It started in 2023.
The program aims to improve the support the district provides to its students. It includes consultation, affirming services, individual and family therapy, and referrals to other community resources.
A Rainbow Connections clinician will visit the district weekly, work with staff and provide services. The clinician will manage up to five cases at a time.
The agreement was on the Sept. 16 meeting agenda, but because Trustees Robert Ocampo and Beatriz Perez were absent, it failed on a 2-1-2 vote.
Before the Oct. 7 meeting, Building Healthy Communities urged the board to move forward with the partnership and encourage the community to attend the meeting.
“Passing up on these free critical supports is a step in the wrong direction,” BHC’s letter said.
Velásquez voiced concerns about affirming care and bringing Rainbow Connections services on campus.
"They don't have to be in our district. The county is not far away. We could just send them down there," he said.
Trustee Leticia García showed her support, noting it could have long-lasting impacts.
“We can make the difference for that child, and instead of making him feel that he doesn't belong, on the contrary… we can make that child feel he belongs and be successful.”
Alisal Union partners with Monterey County Behavioral Health to provide mental health services.