River Oak Center for Children: School-based Services

Schools are on the front lines with children who may not be ready or able to succeed in
school due to behavioral problems, or emotional, developmental or mental health challenges.

River Oak collaborates regularly with Bret Harte Elementary School and other schools within
the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) to provide mental health services at
school sites. Healthy Start Coordinators at the school identify children who may need mental
health services from River Oak and get Medi-Cal authorization from the Sacramento County
Child and Family ACCESS Team. If necessary, children may be referred to a River Oak
psychiatrist at River Oak's Elk Grove office.

River Oak's services respect the specific cultural, social, and individual needs of each child,
adolescent, and teen. River Oak also works closely with caregivers and teachers, social
workers, probation officers and others to identify and support common goals.

River Oak's collaborative partnership includes supporting SCUSD's Primary Intervention
Program (PIP). PIP aims to identify and address the needs of children in Kindergarten through
third grade who have mild-to-moderate school adjustment problems. PIP's family advocates
help children form a healthy relationship with a caring adult, foster positive self esteem, and
develop social skills - all in support of a positive early school experience. River Oak staff meet
monthly with these family advocates and offer training as needed.