OST Wellness Network

CalSAC is excited to return to in-person training. As of June 2022, we are now offering in-person training opportunities. Virtual training will continue to be available indefinitely.

Supporting young people’s mental health requires a comprehensive, coordinated effort across all levels of their care. Out-of-school time programs play a central role in supporting a young person’s mental health and should be seen as a core component in the mental health system for young people. Youth development staff are the caring adults that help youth heal from trauma and are also their advocates when we notice youth who are in distress. Engage with the OST Wellness Network to collectively support and improve the mental health and wellness of young people in California.

Project Overview

The OST Wellness Network—which consists of CalSAC and partner agencies in San Mateo County—strives to strengthen the mental health and wellness of young people through out San Mateo County and the state. Through the support of the Sand Hill Foundation, we’ve had the opportunity to build connections across OST programs and across the mental health system.

The OST Wellness Network developed new training curriculum and revised our existing curriculum to strengthens staff’s knowledge and skills to support a young person’s mental health and wellness. This curriculum was informed by our partners who implement programs in San Mateo County, by our mental health advisory who are experts in the mental health field and represent various service providers in San Mateo County and by youth and staff in programs. The curriculum is designed to build a shared understanding and common language in support of young people’s mental health and wellness, make connections between positive youth development and successful trauma-informed practices and equip front line and leadership level staff with strategies and skills to create learning environments that protect and support the mental health and wellness of young people.

training curriculum

Awareness-Building Modules

These two new curriculum modules are designed to build a shared understanding and common language in support of young people’s mental health wellness. Curriculum will make connections between positive youth development and successful trauma-informed practices, allow space for staff to explore their personal experiences with mental health, systems and stigmas, explore “risk factors” that impact youth and adults’ mental health, and how Expanded Learning programs play a key role in positive mental health wellness.

Promising Practices

Consists of two new modules and and sixteen existing curriculum to equip front line and leadership level staff with strategies and skills to create learning environments that protect and support the mental health wellness of young people.

Power and Purpose

These three new training modules focus on best practices to support young people with healing from stressful or traumatic experiences. Utilizing Dr. Shawn Ginwright’s Healing Centered Engagement principles, these modules explore harms that can impact young people’s mental health and well-being, identify practices grounded in Healing Centered Engagement principles to support young people with healing and explore practices to empower youth agency as a means of taking control to address the causes of harm.

Schedule Training for Your Staff

Request these trainings to strengthen the capacity and knowledge of your staff to support young people’s mental health and wellness. Use the button below to view and request training topics and contact us at training@calsac.org with any questions.

View Full List of Modules