Dr. Deneen Guss, County Superintendent of Schools
Safe & Healthy Schools & Communities Coalition
The Monterey County Safe & Healthy Schools and Communities Coalition
In August of 2022, MCOE launched the Monterey County Safe and Healthy Schools and Communities Coalition (MCSHSCC). The coalition is a multi-agency collaborative that includes representatives from education, law enforcement, first responders, behavioral health, child welfare, probation, juvenile justice, and other youth-serving agencies and organizations throughout Monterey County. The coalition’s mission is to identify and address the health and safety needs of the county by developing and implementing best practices in emergency preparedness, youth mental health, crisis prevention and response, the use of common protocols, providing training opportunities, and multi-agency collaboration that is supported by a legally sound information-sharing framework.
Goals of the Coalition
The purpose of the coalition is to standardize policies, practices and protocols as much as possible, to promote synergies with community partners, and develop common language, tools and forms that Monterey County school districts and partner agencies will utilize in order to improve communication and respond to student mental health and safety needs.
Inaugural Monterey County Safe and Healthy Schools and Communities Coalition Leadership Breakfast
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The Monterey County Safe and Healthy Schools and Communities Coalition (MCSHSCC) Leadership Breakfast was held in February 2024 at the CSUMB Salinas City Center. Monterey County leaders gathered for a morning of information sharing and next steps surrounding the health and safety of students and the community. The Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) President Ginger Pierce and CAPC Board members also presented their annual awards. Highlights from the event included the coalition’s achievements, 2024-2025 goals, and recognition of outstanding organization leaders making significant impacts on the health and safety of the Monterey County students. |
MCHSCC Leadership Breakfast Awardees
The Inaugural Monterey County Safe and Healthy Schools and Communities Coalition Leadership Award was presented to coalition partner Prescribe Safe, received by Dr. Reb Close and Dr. Casey Grover for the program’s outstanding work in providing action through multi-faceted approaches to save lives and for providing resources and support for those affected by addiction and the fentanyl crisis.
CAPC also presented its own Longevity, Commitment, and Service Award presented by CAPC Director Ginger Pierce, honoring Dr. Melissa Egge, Natividad Medical Center Child Advocacy Center, for her commitment to serving the needs of our county’s most vulnerable children and inspiring change in how we collaborate to support children and families. An additional Longevity, Commitment and Service Award was awarded to Monterey County Human Trafficking Symposium Partner Agencies, which include the Monterey County Board of Education, Monterey County Office of Education, Monterey County Dept. of Social Services, Community Human Services, and YWCA, who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by human trafficking.
