Page 25 - 2025 GPISD Honor Board Application

03 SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN ACCORDANCE

WITH STATE-ESTABLISHED STANDARDS

Physical, Mental and Emotional Health Supports
Efforts to support the physical and mental health of employees were
consistently and unanimously approved by the Galena Park ISD Board
of Trustees� A stipend was added for school counselors who complete
a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) program and provide mental
health services that focus on behavioral, emotional and mental issues
recognizing the value of completing this program, which goes above
and beyond required certification for a school counselor� A Mental
Health and Social Services Specialist position was approved with
a primary purpose of serving/assisting staff with mental health and
emotional concerns and guide/direct them to appropriate resources�
The Board continues to support the District’s standalone employer-
paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) service which provides six
free counseling sessions with licensed therapists, legal and financial education and services,
as well as work/life solutions for all employees and their eligible household family members
at no cost� To date, the total utilization has been over 900 engagements for all services
combined and nearly 500 cases for counseling services addressing psychological concerns,
anxiety, partner/relationships, depression, stress and bereavement/grief� The EAP benefit
has been a great resource to help employees and their family members deal with life’s
challenges�

Additionally, Galena Park ISD partners with Legacy Community Health
to implement four school-based clinics which has promoted improved
student attendance� This partnership provides students, their siblings,
staff, and families access to affordable, high-quality pediatric and
behavioral health services during the school day� Children can be
cared for and return to class, affording parents the convenience of
not having to miss work�

As a result of the partnership with Legacy Community Health, Galena
Park ISD was included in a national initiative grant from the School-
Based Health Alliance and City Work Group which included the hiring
of two school-based health care coordinators in GPISD� These support
staff members, assigned to and housed on the campuses of Galena Park Middle School and
Green Valley Elementary School, are crucial in bridging gaps and enhancing the impact
of school-based health care through relationship building, communication facilitation, and
care continuity� These individuals work to ensure students and parents across the district are
aware of medical and behavioral resources available to them and their families�

In addition to providing the district with school-based health care coordinators, both
campuses were awarded a $10,000 stipend to acknowledge the efforts demonstrated by
campus representatives� Campus personnel attended planning meetings,
local trainings, and coaching sessions related to care coordination and BUILDING ON A
provided valuable input on processes for integrating care coordination into
the school community� LEGACY

Galena Park Independent School District | Building On A Legacy | Page 25