4. Draft Recommendation- Communities In Schools — original pdf

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. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Recommendation Number [YYYYMMDD-XXX] : Recommendation to allocate $2 million to Communities In Schools of Central Texas for comprehensive integrated student support services and trauma-informed mental health services, early campus-based interventions WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to ensuring that race or language barrier no longer predicts a person's quality of life outcomes; and the 2025 Austin Travis County Community Health Assessment identifies increasing access to mental healthcare as a critical goal WHEREAS, there is a continued need for increased investment to support the growing mental health challenges faced by students in Austin area schools; WHEREAS, the Asian American Quality of Life Initiative identifies mental health services and successful educational outcomes as primary pillars for community success; and WHEREAS, students in the Austin area continue to face significant barriers to, including lack of access to culturally competent intensive mental health services; and WHEREAS, House Bill 6 (89th) seeks to increase access to mental health services in public schools while also placing new implications for student discipline in the classroom, focused on proactive approaches to addressing student needs; and WHEREAS, other recent legislative changes have placed new considerations on services offered to students through school systems when providing mental health services and supports; and WHEREAS, Communities In Schools of Central Texas provides critical "safety net" services through multiple programs, including their campus-based Integrated Student Supports, Care Coordination and wraparound services, and intensive mental health & wellness services for students; and WHEREAS, evidence-based services such as intensive mental health counseling provided by clinicians and social workers ensure students' unmet mental health needs are addressed through direct service to students and their families, with a family-centered, trauma-informed approach to connect students and their families to community resources; and WHEREAS, these mental health services have shown decreases in clinical scales of depression and/or anxiety for student symptoms and improved scores in post-test evaluation assessments; and WHEREAS, Results from a recently released Harvard-Cornell Study from Opportunity Insights and EdRedesign Lab showed that three years of involvement in Communities In Schools of Central Texas leads to significantly higher income earnings over a student’s lifetime, increased yearly tax contributions, less reliance on public assistance and significantly reduced involvement or . prevention of involvement in the criminal justice system and increased economic mobility leading to an increased tax base and stronger workforce. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Asian American Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission recommends the execution of an agreement with Communities In Schools of Central Texas to provide essential mental health services for children and youth, ensuring continued, on- campus access to counseling and support services, as referenced in past council actions and recommends that the Austin City Council allocate $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget to Communities In Schools of Central Texas to sustain and expand: • Mental Health Services: Individual and group intensive culturally relevant counseling for trauma and behavioral health, providing evidence-based early intervention. • Basic Needs Assistance: Emergency financial aid for rent, meals, and clothing. • Attendance and Academic Support: Case management to improve student engagement and graduation rates, post-secondary pathways, career and workforce readiness. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Asian American Quality of Life (AAQoL) Advisory Commission has formally recommended that the Austin City Council restore and continue funding for Communities In Schools (CIS) of Central Texas. This recommendation focuses on maintaining crucial mental health and well-being services for all students, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community within local schools in the greater Austin community. The Commission requests an annual report on the outcomes of this funding to ensure accountability and equitable distribution of services. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________