Frequently Asked Questions

The Ecosystem of Care is a coordinated network of school staff, community organizations, healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and local agencies working together to support the whole child and family.

Instead of families navigating multiple systems independently, the Ecosystem of Care creates one coordinated pathway to services.

The MUSD Ecosystem of Care is designed for and managed by Mammoth Unified School District. Any student or family in Mono County may submit a referral through the system. Referrals for MUSD students are coordinated directly by the MUSD Coordination of Services Team, while referrals for students attending other Mono County school districts are shared with the appropriate school site or agency for follow-up and coordination.

The MUSD Ecosystem of Care is your connection to school-based supports and community resources. Our team works with students, families, schools, and community partners to identify needs, coordinate services, and ensure students receive the support they need to succeed.

Some supports are provided directly through MUSD, while others are coordinated through trusted local agencies and partner organizations. Our team helps families navigate available resources, makes referrals, and monitors progress to ensure supports are connected and effective.

Supports May Include

• Mental health and wellness

• School counseling and social-emotional support

• Behavioral support

• Family support and care coordination

• Food and basic needs assistance

• Connections to medical and behavioral health providers

• Academic support

• Attendance support

• Community programs and youth activities

• Crisis response and intervention

• Referrals to community agencies and specialized services

MUSD provides school-based mental health, wellness, and care coordination services at no cost to students and families. Our services are designed to support students in their educational environment and are not a substitute for ongoing medical or long-term behavioral health treatment.

When long-term therapy, psychiatric care, specialized treatment, or other community services are needed, our team will help connect families with the appropriate providers. Any services delivered by outside agencies or healthcare providers are independent of MUSD and may involve insurance, copays, eligibility requirements, or other costs determined by those providers.

Once a referral is received, the MUSD Wellness Department completes an initial review and routes the referral through the Coordination of Services Team (COST) process.

Through COST, the appropriate school team:

• Reviews the student’s or family’s identified needs

• Assigns school-based supports, services, or referrals

• Coordinates with community partners when additional resources are needed

• Contacts families when additional information, consent, or participation is needed

• Follows up with the referring party, when appropriate, to acknowledge receipt of the referral and communicate that it is being reviewed

• Tracks whether supports are in place and effective

• Increases, decreases, or adjusts supports as student needs change over time

Some needs can be addressed quickly, while others require ongoing coordination among school staff, families, and community partners. The COST process is designed to ensure every referral is reviewed, appropriate supports are coordinated, progress is monitored, and services evolve as student and family needs change.