PODERs School Based Program

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve educational outcomes for Latino/a/x students and families through a culturally specific, community-led mental health program. We aim to close achievement gaps, reduce disciplinary incidents, and increase family engagement in education by partnering with culturally specific mental health providers, school districts, and community organizations.

We aim to build a culturally specific, community-led mental health program for Latino/a/x students, in partnership with a culturally specific mental health provider, 2 school districts, and a community-based organization. Our goals are to improve educational outcomes, close achievement gaps, reduce disciplinary incidents, and increase family/parent/community involvement in their students' education.

Strategies include:

  • Partnership with OYEN Emotional Wellness Center for bilingual, bicultural therapists from the same communities 

  • Focus on serving rural school districts with high Latino/a/x student populations

  • Partnership with Gervais and North Marion School Districts

  • Partnership with Farmworker Housing Development Corporation for services to Latino/a/x families in rural school districts

  • Individual and family therapy on and off site

  • Support groups and workshops led by therapists

  • Development of parent/guardian school leadership groups

  • Collaboration with District Behavioral Health Teams or developing one with FHDC

What does the program offer:

  • Assessment of student/family needs

  • Therapy sessions at clinic or via telehealth

  • School-based counseling

  • Community-based mental health workshops

  • Telehealth services

  • Family training

  • Art therapy workshops

  • Student/family feedback and recommendations

  • -Research on best practices

  • -Reports on systemic educational barriers

  • -Student/parent leadership groups

  • -Therapist feedback opportunities

  • Parent leadership teams at partnership sites

  • Assessment of parent engagement

  • Recommendations for family/community engagement

  • Attendance at school board meetings with recommendations