Press Releases

The City of Gonzales and the Gonzales Unified School District (District) entered into a memorandum of agreement and have jointly funded and hired a shared licensed clinical social worker.

The new hire increases the number of licensed clinical social workers at the District from one to two and the city will be able to tap into the expertise of the social worker to assist the Gonzales Police Department in cases where mental health issues are suspected or confirmed.

The City and the District entered into this agreement because they recognized there is a growing need to enhance mental health support services for students and the community at large.  While this was evident before the Covid-19 pandemic, the pressures and impacts of the pandemic have magnified the need for these types of services.  The findings from a recent mental health survey conducted by the Gonzales Youth Council (GYC) confirmed this as well, with the results showing an increase in day to day challenges for youth and families due to the current environment.

Through the survey the GYC discovered most of their peers were finding it harder to learn virtually, especially with 60 percent of respondents feeling responsible for helping their younger siblings complete their online schoolwork. The survey also incorporated patient health questions to screen for anxiety and depression and found that more than half of the high school respondents scored above the cutoff scores for anxiety, depression, or anxiety and depression.

"Approximately a third of the city's population is under the age of 18 and in virtual school every day.  Having a second social worker available to support our students and families will have a huge impact," said Yvette Irving, Gonzales Unified School District Superintendent.

City Manager Rene Mendez adds, "This agreement is an important first step as we begin to establish local mental health support resources for the city and enhances our community policing and public safety services, programs and response."

Funds for the position are paid 50% by the city and 50% by the District.  The new social worker will report to the District and the training and oversite will be the District's responsibility, with input from the city to ensure understanding of the community needs.  The agreement runs through June 2022.