Partnership with The Jed Foundation

JED team talking to a group of people

Background

At the April 1, 2025 City Schools Liaison Committee, the Committee discussed a possible partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED). The Committee approved the following: "Refer The Jed Foundation proposal and further refine the scope with stakeholders to the City Council for Council discussion and potential direction and for continued collaboration with the School District."

On September 29, 2025, City Council approved JED to provide technical assistance, evaluation, and support regarding youth and young adult mental health programs for the City over two (2) years.

Project Phases

  • Phase I

    09/2025 - 04/2026

    Data Collection and Gap Analysis

    Data Analysis: 

    • Stakeholder interviews
    • Teen focus groups collection of PAUSD school data
    • Collection of local health data hotspot and lethal means analysis
    • Analysis of current postvention response
    • Analysis of current crisis management efforts
    • Analysis of local youth mental health support 

    Workshops & Support Groups:

    • You Can Help Workshop (open to the entire community)
    • You Can Help Workshop (open to youth)
    • Grief Processing Group (open to the community)
    • Teen & Young Adult Focus Groups - hybrid

  • Phase II

    04/2026 - 06/2026

    Detailed Findings, Report & Public-Facing Findings Report + CALM Training

    Key deliverables:

    • Public-Facing Findings Report - for Palo Alto community
    • Workshops & trainings
    • CALM Training: 4.5 hours - open to mental health providers

  • Phase III

    07/2026 - 09/2026

    Peer Task Force, Postvention Guide Creation Starts

    Peer Task Force & Deliverables:

    • Creation of Peer Task Force
    • JEDdraft customized postvention guide
    • Counseling on Access to Leathal Means (CALM) a training for mental health professionals and first responders

  • Phase IV

    10/2026 - 12/2026

    Postvention Guide & Response Policy Review

    • Postvention guide
    • Mental health response policy review

  • Phase V

    01/2027 - 03/2027

    Website Write-Up & Citywide Campaign

    • City communications review and website updates

Project Goals

Postvention Support
Establish coordinated, trauma-informed postvention supports and safe messaging to reduce suicide contagion and strengthen community healing following loss

Strengthen Prevention Efforts
Identify gaps, risk patterns, and evidence-based interventions to improve youth mental health supports and reduce access to lethal means citywide

Facilitate Youth Engagement 
Elevate youth voice through structured engagement and data collection to inform city policies, programs, and prevention strategies

Citywide Campaign & Communications
Improve reach, clarity, and usability of mental health communications and resources to increase awareness, help-seeking, and access

Training 
Build community capacity through targeted trainings that increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and strengthen early intervention skills

The Jed Foundation

The Jed Foundation is a leading national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults. They partner with school districts, high schools, colleges, and youth-serving community-based organizations to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. JED equips teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. JED encourages community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health. 

Be Well     JED Mental Health Resource Center     Wellness and Belonging

Contact Us

wellnessandbelonging@paloalto.gov

Upcoming Events and Workshops

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