Newsom launches $2.2M for school mental health recovery

(The Center Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Rises announced this week an initiative to support mental health services in communities affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires with a $2.2 million funding for UCLA Health’s Sound Body Sound Mind program. The funding aims to expand school-based mental health and wellness interventions to the Los Angeles region since the Palisades fires. Over the next two full school years, 33 schools impacted by the fires will receive comprehensive support through the program, reaching an estimated 30,000 students. The Center Square asked Newsom’s office what schools are a part of this initiative, but has yet to receive a response. Newsom said the initiative is designed to respond directly to the needs identified by fire survivors, particularly children who continue to experience trauma from the disasters. He emphasized that the effort builds on the state’s existing recovery work while deepening support for affected families and neighborhoods