Mental Health Initiative

Aimed at addressing the needs of the whole student beyond the classroom, this initiative includes supporting and expanding mental health programs and services within the 23 school districts in Riverside County. Students are facing higher rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm, and the need for every child in Riverside County to have access to mental health services has never been higher.

2026 Mental Health Initiative and CAREspace Update

Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez discusses the importance of supporting the whole child. In this interview, learn how CAREspace and the Mental Health Initiative work to provide resources and services to students, and continue to grow through community partnerships and a shared focus on student success.

Community Schools Partnership Program

Achieving supportive school environments by coordinating services for the whole child and their community.

CAREspace

Providing mental health services for Riverside County students, families, schools, and the community.

Riverside County Wellness Collaborative

Building relationships and supporting Capacity Grants to build behavioral health supports with our districts, charter schools, and communities.

California PBIS Honors Riverside County Schools

In August 2026, 235 schools across 18 districts in Riverside County were recognized by California PBIS for implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with fidelity to the national framework. This is a 21% increase over the number of schools that were recognized in 2025.

Schools applied to be recognized at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level. Each designation required increasingly rigorous requirements, like data collection and implementation of interventions.

We are so proud of and inspired by the amazing work that the staff at each of these schools undertake every day to create safe, positive learning environments. Way to go!

10 Schools

PBIS Bronze

Alvord USD – 3
Lake Elsinore USD – 1
Menifee Union SD – 1
Moreno Valley USD – 4
San Jacinto USD – 1

California PBIS Silver Implementation Award 2026

60 Schools

Silver Award

Alvord USD – 5
Beaumont USD – 3
Desert Sands USD – 1
Jurupa USD – 11
Menifee Union SD – 10
Moreno Valley USD – 8
Murrieta Valley USD – 7
Nuview Union SD – 1
Perris Union HSD – 1
Riverside USD – 10
San Jacinto USD – 3

California PBIS Gold Implementation Award 2026

87 Schools

Gold Award

Alvord USD – 2
Banning USD – 1
Beaumont USD – 4
Coachella Valley USD – 1
Corona-Norco USD – 21
Desert Sands USD – 16
Jurupa USD – 12
Menifee Union SD – 2
Moreno Valley USD – 7
Murrieta Valley USD – 6
Riverside USD – 12
San Jacinto USD – 2
Temecula Valley USD – 1

California PBIS Platinum Implementation Award 2026

78 schools

Platinum Award

Alvord USD – 4
Banning USD – 5
Beaumont USD – 7
Corona-Norco USD – 8
Desert Sands USD – 6
Moreno Valley USD – 12
Murrieta Valley USD – 2
Perris Elementary SD – 8
Riverside USD – 3
San Jacinto USD – 2
Val Verde USD – 21

Directing Change Program and Film Contest

RCOE partnered with Youth Creating Change and Riverside University Health Systems for the annual Directing Change Film Awards ceremony at The Fox Performing Arts Center on May 13.

The event recognized regional and statewide finalists in the 14th annual competition, in which students from across California used their creativity to promote suicide prevention, increase awareness of mental health resources, reduce stigma around mental illness, and highlight healthy coping strategies during difficult times.

The Directing Change Film Contest is for young people ages 12 to 25 who want to combine creative expression with making a difference in their communities by creating stories about mental health, suicide prevention, substance use, and other topics that matter.

See this year's films online!

This year’s SEL and Wellness Conference celebrated the power of being connected, compassionate, and collective in supporting whole-person wellbeing. Through engaging workshops, rejuvenating wellness activities, and meaningful opportunities to connect with others, participants explored how relationships, empathy, and shared purpose strengthen our communities.

Wellness Room

RCOE is thrilled to announce the first wellness room on the third floor of the Riverside main campus. In support of the Mental Health Initiative, this dedicated space is designed for employees to take a break and re-center themselves. The wellness room provides a calm and quiet environment where individuals can drop in when feeling stressed, anxious, or in need of a screen break. It offers a variety of activities, including coloring, painting rocks, and solving puzzles, all aimed at promoting relaxation and enhancing well-being.

Community Resources

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:

Thoughts of suicide
Mental health or substance use crisis, or
Any other kind of emotional distress

People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

Learn more by visiting the RCOE Suicide Prevention web page.

The Riverside County Community Schools Partnership is helping connect students and families to support in their communities through FindHelp.

Go to the FindHelp website or enter your zip code below to get started.

Find Help

Students and families can find support in their communities through Findhelp.

Search for free or low cost food, basic needs, housing assistance and more.

RCOE CCSPP Findhelp® Site ↗

Looking for strategies for coping during challenging times? Find newly refreshed tools and resources, including those for Early Care and Education, designed to help restore well-being at the RCOE Virtual Wellness Center.

The following resource directories cover a wide range of services that support mental health and wellness.

Community Resources Booklet Thumbnail RCOE Community Resources Guide (PDF) is a compilation of community agencies and referral sources to help the students and families understand and navigate the local resources available to them.

RCOE Resource Guide was developed specifically to help families find food resources, financial assistance, health resources and mental health crisis/emergency services during COVID-19.

A core principle of the Mental Health Initiative is support for the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, seeing wellness as a whole-person, strength-based approach.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) envisions wellness not as the absence of disease, illness, and stress, but as the presence of a positive purpose in life, satisfying work and play, joyful relationships, a healthy body and living environment, and happiness (Dunn, 1961).

WELLNESS IS MULTIFACETED. The Wellness Initiative identifies 8 Dimensions of Wellness, along with basic needs related to each one. The dimensions influence one another and affect a person's overall health and quality of life.

Emotional: Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships

Environmental: Enjoying good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being

Financial: Satisfaction with current and future financial situations

Intellectual: Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills

Occupational: Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one's work

Physical: Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep

Social: Developing a sense of connection and belonging; and having a [good] support system

Spiritual: Expanding one's sense of purpose and meaning in life

[Swarbrick, 2014, p. 13; adapted from Swarbrick, 2006, p. 311]
Adapted from work done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The RCOE Governmental Relations team provides regular updates on legislation related to mental health in support of the Mental Health Initiative. The following report provides the latest information as of April 2, 2026.

2026 Proposed Mental Health-Related Bills (PDF)

Mental Health Initiative Highlights

Moreno Valley Unified School District Health and Wellness Center sign and mural

dignitaries being welcomed on school campus

color guard presenting colors at outdoor event

Members of audience standing and audience applauding

audience members standing and applauding

Group gathered around podium holding several framed honors

Young woman applauding holding microphone with dignitaries standing in support

Woman speaking with dignitaries standing with her at the podium

Woman holding microphone and reading from a portfolio

Speaker holding both hands together in gesture of collaboration

Group ready for ribbon cutting in from of the Moreno Valley Unified School District Wellness Center mural

Ribbon being cut in front of Moreno Valley Unified School District Wellness Center mural

Ribbon falling after ceremonial cutting in front of Moreno Valley Unified School District Wellness Center mural

Group photo in front of Moreno Valley Unified School District Wellness Center mural

Guests touring grocery aisle at wellness center

visitors pointing at items in clothing store

visitor taking photo of children's shoes on shelves

Visitors viewing shelfs full of colorful backpacks

Riverside County Wellness Collaborative Supports New Health and Wellness Center in Moreno Valley

The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) continues to elevate student mental health through countywide initiatives that strengthen district capacity, expand access to services, and foster meaningful collaboration. A recent milestone of this work was celebrated in Moreno Valley Unified School District with the grand opening of its new Health and Wellness Center. Made possible through Mental Health Grants led by RCOE as part of the Riverside County Wellness Collaborative, the center reflects a shared commitment to student well-being. It will serve as a vital hub for students and families, offering mental health supports, wellness resources, and connections to community services. The ribbon-cutting brought together district leaders, RCOE staff, and community partners to highlight how coordinated efforts can create sustainable systems of care that support the whole child.