A local non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the number of young men of color attending college, Improve Your Tomorrow, has recognized the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) with its School Wellness Champion Award. Presented at the organization’s “Mental Health Is Wealth” Summit last week, the award recognizes SCOE’s leadership in increasing access to youth mental health services through the School-Based Mental Health and Wellness program.
The summit brought educators, community leaders, and advocates together to prioritize wellness and equity in education. As part of the event, Dezarae Johnson, Coordinator of SCOE’s School-Based Mental Health and Wellness (SBMHW) and Career Pipeline, participated in a panel discussion on expanding access to services for youth.
“This award highlights SCOE’s ongoing commitment to advance student well-being by raising awareness, expanding access to resources, and strengthening partnerships that support young people in schools and communities across Sacramento County,” said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. Increasing student access to mental health, wellness, and social-emotional support throughout Sacramento County is one of the key priorities of the Sacramento County Board of Education.
“Supporting the mental health of our students is fundamental to their academic success and overall growth,” said SCOE Executive Director of School-Based Mental Health and Wellness Tabitha E. Thompson, Ed.D., LCSW. “We are proud to stand alongside community partners who are equally dedicated to ensuring that every young person has access to the supports they need to thrive. Together, we share the belief that supporting youth mental health is essential to their success in school, in life, and in the future.”
SCOE’s School-Based Mental Health and Wellness program, created in 2020 in partnership with the Sacramento County Department of Health Services, provides school-based counseling, social-emotional learning resources, crisis response, staff training, and connections to community agencies. The goal is for every public school in Sacramento County to have access to a mental health clinician. By embedding services directly into schools, the program helps ensure students and families receive timely, culturally responsive care in safe and supportive environments.
The award reflects a shared vision of creating inclusive spaces where students can learn, lead, and succeed. SCOE remains dedicated to advancing initiatives that ensure every young person has the support, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive—because mental health truly is wealth.