Behavioral Health Services

Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) Behavioral Health Services is committed to supporting student safety and well-being through a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

These efforts are grounded in California Education Code (EC) Section 215, as added by Assembly Bill 2246 (AB 2246, Chapter 642, Statutes of 2016), which requires local educational agencies serving students in grades 7-12 to adopt policies addressing pupil suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

In alignment with this mandate, RCOE has developed and implemented strategies designed to reduce suicidal behavior and support students through timely identification, response, and connection to care. These practices include strengthening awareness of risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors associated with suicidal ideation and behavior, as well as ensuring clear protocols for internal student programs.

Behavioral Health Services supports internal student programs across RCOE's Alternative Education sites and works in close collaboration with county behavioral health partners to ensure coordinated, consistent, and effective responses to student needs. This collaboration is essential to maintaining a safe and supportive system of care that aligns school-based supports with community-based mental health services.

Access to appropriate resources, early identification of concerns, and coordinated response systems are key components in reducing risk and supporting student wellness.

For more information on AB 2246 pupil suicide prevention requirements, visit the California Department of Education: CDE Suicide Prevention Page