Chair Lee on mental health continuum funding

So I'm just going to quickly shift to mental health, both on the continuum as well as the school-based mental health clinics.

So what are your thoughts on the importance of extending funding for the mental health continuum and what would happen if the $5 million funding is not restored, which I know we talk about this every year, but I love this program and I know you guys do too.

So I wanted to know if you could speak to that.

Well, the idea of mental health and what our young people need on that continuum is really critical and something that,

as I've become chancellor, it's even more profound as I see firsthand how our young people oftentimes are struggling.

And so we are deeply committed to it.

We have resources that we've dedicated to mental health within our system.

And I want to turn it over to Deputy Chancellor Padermo to talk a little bit more about this.

Good afternoon, Chair Lee and members of the councils who are here today.

So we, yes, agree and value city council commitments and partners to this work.

I want to emphasize again that this is a share.

This specific program is a share of support.

So it's a combination of resources that go into health and hospital, the Department of Health and New York City Public Schools, and only

a smaller percentage of the funding come to New York City Public School because the clinical services are actually residing within health and hospitals.

So we believe we value the partnership.

We understand that our young people are navigating challenges and making sure that they get the help that they need quickly is critical.

And for those 50 schools that have benefited from this program, not only have we been able to onboard

16 Article 31 clinics, in addition to the other clinics that reside in New York City Public Schools, servicing over 400 schools in total.