Washoe County School District is expanding mental health and substance use support for students, staff, and their families through Care Solace, funded by the City of Reno.
The no-cost service helps people quickly connect with counseling, therapy, and other behavioral health resources that meet their needs.
Care Solace is confidential, available in multiple languages, and can be accessed by phone, email, or online at any time.
“Supporting the mental health and well-being of our students, families, and staff is essential to student success,” said Dr. Paul LaMarca, Chief Student Supports Officer for WCSD. “Care Solace removes many of the barriers families face when trying to find help. It connects people to the right support, at the right time, in a way that is simple, respectful, and responsive.”
Care Solace does not provide therapy directly. Instead, trained care coordinators work one-on-one with people to identify appropriate providers based on insurance, location, language, and personal preferences.
The City of Reno funds the service through its Opioid Recoveries Special Revenue Fund, which uses settlement money from a statewide opioid agreement to support prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery programs across the community.
“This funding allows us to invest in facilitating meaningful, preventative mental health supports that strengthen families and protect young people,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. “We're proud to support Care Solace because we’re helping ensure that students, families, and educators can access help before a crisis escalates.”
Reno City Council approved $90,000 for Care Solace as part of nearly $1 million in opioid remediation investments supporting behavioral health services, care coordination, public awareness, and first responder resources in Reno.
WCSD is working with the City of Reno and the Safe and Healthy Schools Commission to make sure families and staff know about Care Solace and how to access it when needed.
How to access Care Solace:
• Call 888-515-0595 (multilingual support available 24/7/365)
• Visit Care Solace Washoe
