District proposes expanding A Better Way mental-health services to all schools

What happened

The district is proposing to expand A Better Way’s school-based mental-health services from its existing partnership through the Family Resource Center to East Bay Arts and other district schools as needed. Services may include counseling, individual and group therapy, behavior support and crisis intervention.

Why it matters to families

If approved, students and families across the district could access additional mental-health support on campus or in community settings, with no district cost stated in the agenda item.

The evidence

The January 20, 2026 agenda item says the district needs to expand A Better Way services to all district schools as needed and recommends adding the provider to the 2025–26 Non-Public Agency list. It says A Better Way will be responsible for Medi-Cal eligibility records; the supplied record is a proposal, not proof of approval.

The source