MHDSP-PROGRAM STAFF

Dr. Brian McDonald, Superintendent, provides Executive Oversight of our Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant program and serves as the liaison between the district and the Board of Education, as well as all other external stakeholders.

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer leads the instructional strategies for the District's students, implementing the District's instructional plan, and overseeing a variety of academic programs, including elementary and secondary instruction; special education; arts, gifted, and multilingual education; and curriculum, instruction and professional development.

Julianne Reynoso, Project Director is responsible for the financial integrity of the grant as well as approval of all new hires and contracts. The Project Director oversees the Core Management Team (CMT) and supervises Lara Choulakian, the Mental Health Liaison, and the local evaluator. He/she reports all findings, including successes and progress, to the Superintendent, PUSD School Board, and Core Management Team (community stake-holders).

To be hired, Grant Program Coordinator who supports the day to day operations of the grant.

Lara Choulakian, LCSW, PUSD Mental Health Coordinator, oversees the day-to-day operations of PUSD's mental health program, which includes school-based mental health services conducted by both PUSD employees and community-based service providers. Ms. Choulakian serves as the liaison between PUSD and the University of Southern California field placement coordinators and continues to supervise the existing Mental Health Interns (20). She participates in all training opportunities provided through the grant to become a certified Trainer-of-Trainers in the evidence-based programs implemented under the MHSPD grant program.

Edith Ballard, Clinical Supervisor, provides clinical supervision to mental health interns and clinical social workers. Ms. Ballard is responsible for training and supporting interns to implement the evidence-based interventions (CBITS, SSET, Bounce Back). Ms. Ballard participates in all training opportunities to become a certified Trainer-of-Trainers in the evidence-based, trauma-informed programs implemented under the MHSPD grant program.

Brianna Emerzian, Clinical Social Workers will be hired to provide therapeutic mental health counseling services to PUSD students in need. New hires will be individuals who have recently graduated with credentials from our partnering IHE: University of Southern California. Clinical Social Workers provide services to at-risk students in individual, group and family settings and utilize evidence-based interventions (CBITS, SSET Bounce Back) as appropriate. The Clinical Social Workers are responsible for conducting a thorough psychosocial assessment in order to develop an individualized treatment plan. They use the evidence-based screening tool, SDQ, to guide treatment and measure progress.

Julia Paniagua, Clinical Social Workers will be hired to provide therapeutic mental health counseling services to PUSD students in need. New hires will be individuals who have recently graduated with credentials from our partnering IHE: University of Southern California. Clinical Social Workers provide services to at-risk students in individual, group and family settings and utilize evidence-based interventions (CBITS, SSET Bounce Back) as appropriate. The Clinical Social Workers are responsible for conducting a thorough psychosocial assessment in order to develop an individualized treatment plan. They use the evidence-based screening tool, SDQ, to guide treatment and measure progress.

Karina Venegas, Clinical Social Workers will be hired to provide therapeutic mental health counseling services to PUSD students in need. New hires will be individuals who have recently graduated with credentials from our partnering IHE: University of Southern California. Clinical Social Workers provide services to at-risk students in individual, group and family settings and utilize evidence-based interventions (CBITS, SSET Bounce Back) as appropriate. The Clinical Social Workers are responsible for conducting a thorough psychosocial assessment in order to develop an individualized treatment plan. They use the evidence-based screening tool, SDQ, to guide treatment and measure progress.

Mental Health Interns are hired part time (16-20 hours per week) to work in schools under the supervision of professionals in the mental health field. Interns are graduate level students in social work enrolled in the University of Southern California. PUSD serves as their fieldwork site to obtain clinical experience and complete their required field work, much the same as student teachers. They are responsible for providing the evidence-based interventions listed in this application, including CBITS, SSET, and Bounce Back.