School District Leaders in Mental Health Convene in California forAASA’s Mental Health Cohort

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
 
Contact:  
James Minichello  
703-774-6953  
jminichello@aasa.org 

Gathering to Fuel Ideas and Solutions on Behalf of theWellness of School Communities Nationwide 

Alexandria, Va. – October 19, 2023 – AASA, The School Superintendents Association, in partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection and The Jed Foundation (JED), is pleased to host the AASA Mental Health Cohort fall meeting, October 19-21, 2023, at the Oceanside Unified School District, in Oceanside, Calif.  

The cohort, comprised of school district leaders across the country, will gather to explore the latest data, research and trends around the mental health needs of students and school communities across the country. Attendees will also discuss wellness strategies and participate in action-oriented group activities to ensure they walk away with next steps to bring back to their home districts.

“Prioritizing mental health and the well-being of our students and staff is paramount if our schools are going to move forward in ensuring that no learner will be left marginalized.”

“Prioritizing mental health and the well-being of our students and staff is paramount if our schools are going to move forward in ensuring that no learner will be left marginalized,” said David R. Schuler, executive director, AASA. “Bringing some of our nation’s foremost thought leaders in public education to Oceanside, Calif. will provide us with opportunities to reimagine what it means to lead, learn and grow while maximizing best practices around this key topic in our society. We thank Superintendent Julie Vitale and her staff for hosting AASA’s Mental Health fall cohort meeting.” 

“The Oceanside Unified School District is dedicated to providing meaningful mental health supports to parents, guardians, caregivers and, most importantly, the students in our learning community,” said Julie Vitale, superintendent, OUSD. “There has never been a time when pro-active and purposeful support to our district’s stakeholders has been more important. We are honored to serve as host site for AASA’s Mental Health Cohort and share key strategies that have provided a solid foundation for the comfort and prosperity of our school system.” 

Keynote speakers will include: 

• Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor, social scientist, bestselling author, columnist at The Atlantic 
• Jeff Hostetler, QB United’s founding member, two-time NFL Super Bowl champion 

Additional remarks and presentations will be given by:  

• Raquel Alvarez, school board president, OUSD 
• Julie Vitale, superintendent, OUSD 
• Jordy Sparks, executive director, diversity, equity, inclusion and student support, OUSD 
• Anne Brown, president and CEO, Cook Center for Human Connection 
• Jennifer Reed, senior director, school and district programs, The JED Foundation  
• Paul Imhoff, director, government relations, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, and AASA past president 
• John Malloy, superintendent, San Ramon Valley Unified School District (Calif.) 

“The Oceanside Unified School District is dedicated to providing meaningful mental health supports to parents, guardians, caregivers and, most importantly, the students in our learning community."

“These gatherings are imperative,” said Brown. “Superintendents have opportunities to support and change their communities. As a nation, we’re facing a mental health crisis. The AASA Mental Health Cohort, which we are proud to be a part of, is stepping forward to forge new pipelines to get these vital services into the hands of families and children all across the country.”  

“Kids who are not well, can’t learn. Staff members who are not well, cannot serve students,” said Imhoff. “Prioritizing mental health is an investment for the academic and well-being of our students. While this is a serious issue, it cannot be faced alone.”  

Among the critical discussions attendees will focus on throughout the three-day meeting will include: 

• What are the most common mental health needs of students and how can these needs be effectively addressed in the school setting? 
• What are leaders doing to build bridges between families, schools and communities to meet the growing number of mental health needs? 
• What resources are innovative and available to meet the mental health needs of students and staff?  

Click to view the photo gallery and video from the AASA Mental Health Leadership Summit, held last May in Leesburg, Va.  

Visit the AASA website for additional information. Superintendents and other educators can also contact Mort Sherman, senior associate executive director, AASA Leadership Network, at msherman@aasa.org, or Debbie Magee, director, AASA Leadership Network, at dmagee@aasa.org.  

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About AASA 
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.