Alisal Union Approved School Mental Health Services
Students in the district can now access free mental health support through a new partnership with the county.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Autism
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The Alisal Union School District Board voted 4-1 to approve an agreement that brings LGBTQ+ mental health services directly to campus. This partnership aims to increase student access to care through the Rainbow Connections Program.
Why it matters
The new program provides critical, no-cost support to help improve how the district meets the mental health needs of its students. It addresses previous gaps in access by bringing professional services directly into the school environment.
The school board approved the Rainbow Connections Program, which is backed by a $7.8 million investment from Monterey County Behavioral Health to cover five years of services. The program limits clinicians to managing five cases at a time to ensure dedicated support for participants.
The players
Alisal Union School District Board
The local governing body responsible for overseeing educational and student support policies in Salinas.
Monterey County Behavioral Health
The county agency tasked with providing mental health and addiction treatment services to the local community.
Jesús Velásquez
A trustee on the Alisal Union School District Board who cast the dissenting vote against the agreement.
The details
The program offers a range of services including consultation, affirming therapy, and professional referrals. A clinician will visit the district on a weekly basis to provide direct support to students and work alongside school staff. By placing these resources on-site, the initiative intends to lower barriers to care for youth up to age 24.
Timeline
The Rainbow Connections Program originally began in 2023.
On September 16, 2026, the board vote failed 2-1-2 due to absences.
On October 7, 2026, the board approved the partnership in a 4-1 vote.
Health Landscape
This partnership represents a formal expansion of the Rainbow Connections Program into the local school system. It reflects a broader trend of integrating specialized mental health care directly into educational settings to better serve vulnerable youth populations.
Students and families in the district may now access affirming therapy and mental health referrals at no cost. If you are seeking specialized support for a student, it is worth discussing the availability of these weekly clinical services with school administrators.
The takeaway
This initiative provides a new pathway for youth to access affirming, no-cost professional mental health support. Families interested in these services should reach out to their school office to track the rollout of the weekly clinician schedule.
Further reading
For more information on navigating resources, visit the Autism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Monterey County NOW.
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