District provides no-cost help in finding mental health services
The Los Alamitos Unified School District has partnered with Care Solace, a company that assists students and families in finding mental health and counseling services. The company provides a free, easy-to-navigate screening website that matches families with the services they need that are covered by their insurance. A no-cost 24/7 concierge phone line is available for those needing additional assistance in setting up an appointment to get help. In addition, the website features a direct link to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for use in a crisis.
The partnership is aligned with the District’s goal of “ensuring an inclusive, safe, healthy and substance-free environment for all students,” said Grace Delk, Director of Special Education and Mental Health for Los Alamitos Unified. “Research indicates that one in five children will experience some type of mental health concern. We hope this resource assists families in finding the help they need as quickly as possible.”
Care Solace was founded in 2016 by Chad Castruita, son of former Los Alamitos High School principal Rudy Castruita. In a recent podcast, Chad Castruita said that his own struggles with substance abuse when he was younger and his family’s difficulties in finding effective help for him inspired him to create Care Solace.
The company works with more than 50 school districts, serving about a million students and their families and guardians, according to Castruita.
When Los Alamitos Unified community members visit the web site at www.caresolace.com/losalfamilies, they are greeted with a short, step-by-step questionnaire to determine whether they need substance abuse or mental health services, how fare they can travel for care and whether they have insurance.
The site than presents a list of caregivers best suited to deal with their concern and contact information for making an appointment. Users also can email or call Care Solace, and a company concierge will assist in making an appointment with the chosen caregiver.
The Care Solace site has been used more than 1,200 times by Los Alamitos Unified community members, resulting in about 300 appointments for care, mostly for issues of alcohol or marijuana abuse or depression and anxiety, according to Delk.
The Care Solace website offers a screening tool to determine what services are needed.
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