Alta Vista High School
Mountain View, California

[ Table of Contents | Exemplary Programs Page | CCEA Home ]

The School-Based Case Management Program is a student services program that was first implemented, on the Alta Vista Continuation High School campus in 1994.

The High School District formed a task force to look at the variety of psychological and physical health problems that affect the at-risk student's attendance and learning. They recognized that these problems are made even greater when a student performs poorly in school and is punished by the system for h/her performance. The task force's mission was to develop a comprehensive school program that would address all of the academic and non-academic needs of the Alta Vista High School student population. Out of this effort arose the concept of a school- based case management program. The organizing principle for the delivery of the services, to address the students' non-academic needs, would be the case management system. The role of each case manager is to do a needs assessment (personal interviews, observation, self reports and school data) for all Alta Vista students and their families. A treatment plan is developed to help to meet the needs of the family. The case manager helps the family in accessing the services. Additionally. Case managers continually evaluate and modify ongoing services and programs to ensure quality care. Case managers also attend weekly staff meetings to gather data on current cases and to update the schools staff on the student's progress.

Approximately 300 Alta Vista students, per year, receive some level of case management services. School attendance has increased from 60%, when the program was first implemented 8 years ago, to over 90% today. There has been a major reduction of school violence, from some form of physical altercation 3 to 4 times a week to never more than 1 physical altercation per year. The dropout rate has gone from 40% eight years ago to never more than 2% today. Approximately 50%, of Alta Vista's student population attend college, 25% join the military or attend vocational programs and 25% go to work.

This student services program provides for on-site mental health counseling, full-service, on- site medical services once a month, nutritional education, substance abuse prevention groups, legal services, assistance with housing and immigration, outdoor experiential programs, mentoring, etc. The program also has agreements with many county agencies and relationships with the business and service organizations to provide services and financial and human support for the student population.

Funding for this program is provided for through categorical fund, grants, private foundations, service organizations, churches and private donations. This program also has memorandums of understanding with service providers who are self supporting. Since its' inception, over a half million dollars has been raised to support this program and help families to feel welcomed.