
UTLA WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS—Research shows that Wellness and Mental Health are integral and important parts of a person’s wellbeing, stability, and overall success. The UTLA Student Health and Human Services professionals of which include Psychiatric Social Workers (PSW), Pupil Services & Attedance Counselors (PSA), School Psychologist, School Nurses, and other socio-emotional professionals have put together thoughtful resources and helpful tips to support our daily challenges and current environment. UTLA WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS--Social Wellness, Emotional Wellness, Spiritual Wellness, Environmental Wellness, Occupational Wellness, Intellectual Wellness, and Physical Wellness are dimensions of wellness that help us in the workplace.
If you need immediate emergency assistance, please call 911. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you may call our LAUSD Student Health and Human Services Hotline at (213) 241.3840 Monday through Friday from 6:00am-6:00pm or any of the following agencies (24/7): LA County Department of Mental Health (800) 854- 7771 | National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255)
hotlines
ORGANIZATION | FIND MORE INFO👇🏼 |
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LAUSD Student Health and Human Services Hotline (213) 241.3840 HOURS: Monday through Friday from 6:00am-6:00pm
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LA County Department of Mental Health (800) 854- 7771
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255) |
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Dial 211,or www.211la.org for housing and other needs |
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CalFresh GetCalFresh.org 877-847-3663 |
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L.A. County Housing Resource Center: www.housing.lacounty.gov, or 877-428-8844 |
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Legal Aid 800-399-4529 |
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L.A. Can 213-228-0024 |
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NEWS & RESOURCES HIGHLIGHTS
Social Emotional Supports and Community Building
As District leaders, we recognize the important role all educators play every day to support our students by developing caring relationships to foster their learning and overall wellbeing. A sense of community in the school and classroom (in-person and virtual) helps stakeholders feel valued and included. Establishing procedures and routines that cultivate connectedness and trust set the stage for increased academic engagement, social success and authentic relationships. Strategic activities that are asset based and leverage stakeholders’ strengths and identities provide opportunities for individuals to learn more about each other, resulting in deeper levels of connection and a sense of belonging in a manner that is culturally and linguistically responsive.
This summer, a cross disciplinary team from the Divisions of Instruction, Special Education, Human Resources, and Student Health and Human Services came together to make this work foundational for all district employees. The following resources and tools to support this work are available for your use, please visit:
Schoology Groups
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports/Restorative Practices (PBIS/RP) – access code ZV2B-2PCZ-BMJVX
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Resources and tools to implement PBIS/RP including creating virtual expectations, virtual community building thematic activities and lessons, and responding to behavior.
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Secondary Advisory Lessons – access code QDXZ-PQWX-BDZRJ
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Lessons and activities to support student’s social emotional needs for teachers in grades 6 – 12 to compliment core classes. The resources and lessons integrate personal development, academic monitoring, and college/career readiness content while consistently infusing opportunities to develop SEL skills.
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LAUSD Pride – access code DQ2SX-4RSZ6
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A welcoming, inclusive & expansive space for LAUSD staff to share ideas, best practices, community resources, and aspirations for SOGIE-affirming learning & working environments.
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LA Unified Websites:
- Resilience Daily
- Wellness Programs
- School Mental Health
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports/Restorative Practices (PBIS/RP)
- Human Relations, Diversity and Equity
- Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department
Dr. Nadine Burke, California’s first Surgeon General stated it best, “Educators can deliver the daily doses of healing interactions that truly are the antidote to toxic stress…just as science shows that it’s the cumulative dose of early adversity that’s most harmful, it also shows that the cumulative dose of healing nurturing interactions is most healing.”
Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month

Asian Americans-a powerful five part series on the history of Asian Americans in the US. The series examines what the 2010 U.S. Census identifies as the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States. Told through individual lives and personal histories, ASIAN AMERICANS explores the impact of this group on the country's past, present, and future.
Articles
Description | Learn more 👇🏼 |
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As Asian Americans face racist attacks, a PBS series celebrates their unsung history “We’ve tried to do an Asian American history series for years and years,” said Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and UCLA professor Renee Tajima-Peña (“Who Killed Vincent Chin?”), the producer of “Asian Americans.” Airing during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the series has taken on even greater urgency amid rising anti-Asian sentiment in America because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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5 reasons why I’m celebrating AAPI Heritage Month Many may know that February is Black History Month or that March is Women’s History Month, but way fewer people celebrate the other heritage months that happen throughout the year, including AAPI Heritage month.
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Discover Asian Art and Asian American History at L.A. Museums L.A. museums exhibit world-class Asian art collections and Asian American cultural artifacts. |
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Explore the websites for resources and virtual visits
LA Unified Websites:
- Resilience Daily
- Wellness Programs
- School Mental Health
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports/Restorative Practices (PBIS/RP)
- Human Relations, Diversity and Equity
- Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department
Cultural sites:
Asian Pacific Islander Organizations
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Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)- www.apalanet.org #essentialnotdispensible, First and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander workers, most of whom are union members and our allies, building power for AAPI workers and communities.
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A3PCON-Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council- www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org #StopAPIHate
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Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit- www.asianamtoolkit.org
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A Different Asian American Timeline- www.aatimeline.com
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National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) coalition of 36 national organizations www.ncapaonline.org
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) www.aaaj.org
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Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC) www.searac.org
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Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) www.aapaonline.org
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Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA) www.kiwa.org
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Filipino Workers Center www.iwj.org
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Asian Pacific Environmental Network www.apen4eaj.org
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Chinese American Community Foundation www.chineseamericancf.org
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Khmer Girls in Action www.kgalb.org
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Asian American Psychological Association www.aacapaonline.org
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Japanese American Citizens League www.jacl.org
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The Center for Asian Pacific American Women www.apawomen.org
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Nikkei Progressives www.nikkeiprogressives.org
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Tsuru for Solidarity www.tsuruforsolidarity
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Committee of 100 www.committee100.org
Behavioral Health Directory - Click here
This is the Behavioral Health Directory for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in California. For Los Angeles County, refer to pages 17-29 and for Los Angeles County Department Mental Health Resources, refer to Appendix A page 35-50.
Lesson Plans & Student Support Resources for Counselors and Mental Health Professionals
Read and bookmark some helpful tips
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20 questions to ask instead of "How are you doing right now?" Article
- Dr. Ken Duckworth explains how to talk with your children in age appropriate ways about COVID-19. Article
- How to Support Teachers’ Emotional Needs Right Now. Schools can develop a plan to help teachers who are feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Article
Organizations

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 172 declares May 4-8, 2020 to be the inaugural annual "Student Mental Health Week" in California. This page provides school counselors with an exciting and virtually engaging toolkit so that school counselors are able to provide mental wellness strategies and positive coping techniques for students statewide.

If you need more help, NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, six-session online education program for parents, caregivers and other families who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms.

Teaching for Tolerance-Supporting Students Through Coronavirus

UCLA Gender Health Program: COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resources

Santa Monica College COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network
Wellness for Educators
Wellness and Self-Care for Educators - "During this unprecedented time, it is imperative that school counselors and other student support professionals prioritize self care. Self care is a topic that has been discussed widely; however, with unique challenges arising, taking care of ourselves mentally/emotionally, physically and socially so that we can be available to support our students."
Slowdown Shuffle: 50 Evidence-based, Immune-Boosting Activities to do During the Global Slowdown to Go From Wired and Tired to Chilled and Fulfilled. Article
Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools developed this special webinar series focused on caring for the education community during COVID-19. Each webinar will offer insights and ideas for educators, family caregivers, and school staff to care for themselves and others during this time.
***Headspace is available to all LAUSD employees for free! You can use it on the computer or on your phone. Headspace can be use for various types of mediation. It has basic/advanced lessons, animations and multiple focus areas for sleep, stress, children, sports, mindful walking, etc. If you haven't accessed it yet, you can get your free subscription via this link on the SHHS Wellness Page. Click on the Headspace icon to register using your LAUSD email.***
Headspace for Los Angeles County Residents
LA, we're all going through the current crisis together. To help you weather this storm, Headspace and the LA County Department of Mental Health have partnered to provide support and resources during this challenging time. Residents of Los Angeles County can sign up to access Headspace Plus at no cost until December 31st, 2020.
Emily Dillion PSW, YouTube Channel with Mindfulness/Breathing videos
Action for Happiness calendars

The Emergence & Value of Mindfulness—The Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully recently released a new book called
Educating Mindfully: Stories of School Transformation Through Mindfulness.
Partnering with over twenty mindfulness resource organizations and over three dozen passionate educators, this collaborative project includes 40 chapters that shed light on the emergence of mindfulness in American education. It also contains a resource and field guide for school communities.

Kaiser Permanente Live Well articles

Self-Care Tips for Parents and Caregivers from a Health Psychologist—Parents, grandparents and any adults who care for children are amazing people with tough jobs. As a caregiver, you may be juggling multiple roles while prioritizing your family’s health and safety, especially during stressful situations.
But don’t forget: your health matters, too! Prioritizing your well-being can help you be a better caregiver for your children and family members.
Mental Health Toolkit
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MH Month Flyer (With reference to LAUSD SMH's MH fact sheet)
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MHA Fact Sheet (Mental Health America website)
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MH Month Proclamation (from Mental Health America website)
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Know the Signs of Mental Health Flyer & Fact Sheet (from Know the Signs website)
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LAUSD Harbor City/Lomita Resource Guide (developed by PSACs & PSWs in Harbor area)
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Self-Care Templates
- DMH Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- DMH Staying Connected During Physical Disancing
- CDC Helping Children Cope During and After Disaster
Healthy at Home Toolkit for families
EVENTS
Ethics & Equity webinar 5/20 - Wednesday, May 20, at 3:30 p.m. EDT

School is so much more than curriculum and instruction! Connect with AFT members and specialized instructional support providers (SISPs) to learn and share strategies for meeting ethics and equity challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic with speech, nursing, social work, psychology, therapy and more. We’ll explore questions like: How does the global pandemic complicate your professional ethics and equity for students? How are SISPs innovating and problem-solving to address these unparalleled challenges? By collaborating, we can adjust to the “new now” and the “next normal.”
This AFT members-only webinar is ideal for school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, therapists and related professionals. Register now. Registered participants will be able to access an archive after the live webcast.
SIPA's Wellness Wednesdays Registration - Free webcast series

SIPA presents Wellness Wednesdays, a free webcast series, happening every Wednesday throughout May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Safely at home, each session is psychoeducational by promoting mental wellness and de-stigmatizing mental health in the Filipino-American community. Sign up by clicking the image or here.
The Connection between Asthma and Toxic Stress - Free Webinar

A webinar presented by the National Committee on Asthma and Toxic Stress (NCATS) in partnership with the Center for Youth Wellness, the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford Medical Center. Sign up here by clicking the image or here.
We want to hear from you.