“Supporting Student Mental Health in the Claremont Unified School District”

Lisa Banks-Toma, Nancy Tresser Osgood, and Jim Elsasser, Claremont Unified School District

Lisa Banks-Toma, Nancy Tresser Osgood, and Dr. Jim Elsasser, Claremont Unified School District

Speakers – Nancy Tresser Osgood, member of the Board of Education (and of the University Club!); Jim Elsasser, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools; and Lisa Banks-Toma, Coordinator, Mental Health – Claremont Unified School District–

A critical issue in education today is student mental health. Among other important aspects, the mental health of students can affect their own safety and the safety of every student in the school. The three speakers are intimately involved with all aspects of the local school district’s Mental Health Program, which seeks to implement a variety of initiatives, including the promotion, prevention, identification, intervention, and treatment of student mental health problems. These programs together promote well being, resilience, and an availability to learn by providing services within the schools themselves, where children spend most of their day, and thereby keep the child in attendance. The continuum of programs has been built over the course of the past five years and continues to be a highlight of the Claremont Unified School District offerings. Nancy Tresser Osgood received her B.A. from Pomona College and M.A. from Claremont School of Theology. Jim Elsasser received both his B.A. and M.A. from Azusa Pacific University and Ed.D. from the University of Southern California. Lisa Banks-Toma earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.

Introduction: Bob Knell
Fellowship: Art Sutton
Greeters: Bob Knell and Julia Arias
Birthdays: Ivan Light