The Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) is preparing for potential layoffs as it confronts the aftermath of a canceled federal mental health grant. The district may have to eliminate up to 15 positions, including mental health providers and supervisors, due to the loss of approximately $5 million in funding. This situation arises from a decision by the U.S. Department of Education, which ended the grant program initiated under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law in 2022.
It has been nearly ten months since the federal government informed the district that its grant, valued at $11.3 million over five years, would be terminated. Despite the cancellation, CVUSD has not yet made cuts to its mental health services or laid off staff, but district officials now face an urgent deadline. According to spokesperson Kimberly Gold, the final extension of funding concluded on February 6, 2024, and the district can only sustain its current mental health programs until the school year ends in June.
The federal government’s decision to cancel mental health grants, effective at the end of 2025, has sparked legal battles. California and 15 other states have filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Education, successfully winning some court orders to release funds. However, the federal government has continued its appeals, and CVUSD is now left with dwindling resources.
Superintendent Mark McLaughlin emphasized that the layoffs are not a result of mismanagement or budget shortfalls but are directly linked to federal policy changes. “This is a decision made at the federal level that we as a district have no control over,” he stated during a recent board meeting. Assistant Superintendent Kenny Loo echoed this sentiment, expressing frustration at the lack of funding despite obtaining temporary and permanent injunctions to secure the grant.
The district’s Board of Trustees did not vote on the proposed layoffs during their February 4 meeting, but discussions will continue in upcoming sessions, with the next scheduled for February 18. Should the layoffs proceed, it would not necessarily equate to a direct cut in services. Currently, CVUSD employs 40 full-time mental health workers and 40 interns, supporting wellness centers across all 27 of its campuses. Loo reassured the board that the potential layoffs would not dismantle the mental health department or services entirely.
To mitigate the impact of the grant cancellation, CVUSD has secured state funding and participates in a new program allowing it to bill insurance providers for mental health services provided to students at no cost to families. The funding for the 2026-27 school year will depend on the district’s ability to secure additional grants and revenue from the state insurance reimbursement program.
The positions identified for potential elimination include 11 mental health clinicians and the director of mental health services. The current director is expected to remain in the district, transitioning to a new role overseeing mental health programs.
Conejo Valley Unified was the sole district in Ventura County to receive funding from the significant mental health grant package aimed at enhancing support in schools. This funding initiative was a response to national tragedies, including the Uvalde school shooting, and represented a critical federal effort to improve student mental health services.
Despite the challenges posed by the grant cancellation, the district has made strides in enhancing its mental health resources. The wellness center at Newbury Park High School, for instance, was expanded to better serve the needs of students, a move that was well-received by the community. Last year, students reported that the district’s mental health services had a positive impact on their ability to cope with personal challenges, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the situation continues to evolve, CVUSD remains committed to exploring all options to retain its mental health services and ensure that students receive the support they need. The Board of Trustees faces a difficult decision as they navigate the implications of federal policy changes on local education and mental health resources.
