Beach Cities Partnership for Youth Coalition Virtual Meeting!
We welcomed more than 50 participants, including students, parents, school counselors, mental health providers and elected officials from each of the three Beach Cities. If you were unable to attend the meeting, feel free to view the recording and meeting slides. Meeting materials included 2020-21 School District Report and Community Action Plan.
Meeting Highlights:
Tom Bakaly provided a breakdown of BCHD’s COVID-19 response efforts and provided a summary of testing, vaccinations and the School Well-Being Line. There was an emphasis on the higher than average vaccination rates of the 12-17 year old population within the Beach Cities compared to Los Angeles County.
Ali Steward shared an update on youth mental health and substance use in the Beach Cities during COVID-19 based on recent data collected over the past academic year from Beach Cities school districts via the California Healthy Kids Survey and Panorama Education Survey.
Jacqueline Sun reviewed existing and effective substance use policy best practices and a comparison of policy accomplishments to date across the Beach Cities.
Dr. Jason Johnson, Superintendent of Hermosa Beach City School District, provided an outline of the district’s goals for the 2021-2022 academic year in the areas of equity and inclusion, culture of excellence and financial stewardship. He specifically stressed the prioritization of students’ personal safety in the form of social-emotional wellness and substance use prevention, as well as school safety related to COVID-19 health protocols and social media education.
Dr. Anthony Taranto, Executive Director of Student Services at Redondo Beach Unified School District, emphasized the commitment of the district’s investment towards social-emotional learning for students as data has shown rising rates of chronic sadness/hopelessness and suicidal ideation. He provided a summary of the district’s three-tier system of support and resources offered to students based on universal, targeted and intensive needs.
Dr. John Bowes, Superintendent of Manhattan Beach Unified School District, was introduced and welcomed to the Coalition as he transitions into his new leadership role.
Youth Advisory Council members highlighted the continued work built upon their original PhotoVoice “Youth Perspectives of Alcohol Use in the Beach Cities.” The student presenters featured the creative “Don’t Drink, Rethink” campaign generated by the Summer Workgroup that focused on youth-to-youth messaging and the promotion of healthy and desirable behaviors.
Ali Steward provided context and explained the projected next steps to develop the allcove Youth Wellness Center for the remainder of 2021.
Meeting participants were placed into breakout groups to engage in a community conversation and provide input on what specific services and support the allcove Youth Wellness Center could holistically offer in the following areas:
Mental health
Substance use
Supported education and employment
Physical health
Peer support
Family support to meet the local needs of Beach Cities youth and young adults
Upcoming Coalition Meeting Dates
Families Connected Parent Advisory Group – September 1, 2021
Student Mental Health Provider Task Force – September 30, 2021
Youth Advisory Council – October 19, 2021
Back to School Vaccine Clinic
OPEN TO ALL: Students ages 12+, school staff and families
First/Second Dose Clinic: Thursday, September 2, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Second Dose Clinic: Thursday, September 23, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
South Bay Adult School, 3401 Inglewood Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
A free parent support group led by a licensed professional from the Thelma McMillen Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment at Torrance Memorial Medical Center held in partnership with South Bay Families Connected. Open to all parents.
