Close to 25% of youth in our community experience a mental, emotional or behavioral health challenge. Even before the Pandemic disrupted our lives, 80% of them were not getting the help they needed their education suffered, families struggled, and we were witnessing a very troubling increase in psychiatric emergencies and suicide. The Pandemic has made a difficult situation even worse.

Depression, anxiety, behavior and learning problems are all on the rise, and youth in special education are falling behind while many more children are being exposed to trauma and neglect. Mental health challenges are growing, as evidenced by the alarming 300% increase in the number of foster youth referrals to our residential therapeutic program.

These children have a significant history of developmental trauma, neglect, and abuse, and are placed at the Center because of concerns about their behavior and safety. During school hours while under our care, they would normally be in their neighborhood school with teachers and specialists each day. Since the start of the Pandemic these foster youth have been learning remotely from our facility-a situation with no end in sight as Covid-19 is keeping most education limited to remote learning.

Given the significant needs of these youth, Center staff members must be physically present for supervision, emotional and behavior support, technology and academic assistance to help them get through the virtual school day. The Center has increased our staffing & resources to provide the best chance for their academic success. The significant extra costs of this unprecedented need is not covered by educational dollars nor by County or State reimbursements to the Center.

We cannot allow these foster youth to fall behind your donation today will directly support their mental, physical, and educational growth and ensure equity in education for San Diego's most vulnerable.

Simply stated, too many children and families are struggling with intense feelings of sadness, worry, rejection and hopelessness. Their needs today are greater than they have ever been, and your support is needed now more than ever. Your support today will give children access to care they need and so desperately deserve.