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Last week’s speaker was Tim Hooey, Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for the El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE). Tim shared that the department was established in 2022, and he joined the team in 2023 after serving as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist on middle school and high school campuses. He emphasized the importance of mental health and wellness programs, noting that one in four students has a diagnosable mental health illness disorder- and of those, 80% do not receive treatment. With a shortage of clinicians in El Dorado County, many students face significant struggles without proper intervention. Tim explained that student volunteers play an important role in the solution. They help reduce chronic absenteeism and suspensions while fostering a positive climate and culture. He also outlined how the department supports a range of services, including: peer advocacy, mental-health career pathways, workforce initiatives, wellness centers/school based services, and long-term sustainability efforts. |
