Tempe Union High School District Success Story

Tempe, AZ

Overview

Tempe Union High School District (TUHSD) has long been recognized for its commitment to student well-being and academic excellence. But as the district witnessed growing mental health challenges among its nearly 12,000 students, leaders knew they needed to go beyond awareness — they needed a system-wide strategy that truly met students where they are.

In 2021, TUHSD took a bold step forward. The Governing Board unanimously adopted a comprehensive mental health policy, developed with direct input from students across all district schools. The policy prioritizes proactive mental health supports, destigmatization, and access to timely care — underscored by a new partnership with Care Solace, a care coordination service that connects students, families, and staff to trusted mental health providers quickly and confidentially.

"Periods of chaos and division have created a unique situation for young people," said Armando Montero, one of the district's youngest-ever board members. "Having a policy that centers student voices ensures we're meeting their needs."

Challenges

Despite strong counseling and wellness programs, TUHSD recognized persistent barriers to care:

Stigma among youth made it difficult for students to openly seek help.
Limited human capital — even with counselors, psychologists, and social workers, demand far exceeded capacity.
Lengthy wait times — many families faced 4–6 week delays before accessing mental health services.
Overextended staff who spent valuable time searching for providers rather than directly supporting students.
Gaps in awareness — while resources existed, many students and families didn’t know where to turn.

District leaders saw these as not just logistical issues, but a community-wide challenge requiring a unified, compassionate approach.

“We needed more human capital — more hands and hearts,” shared Assistant Superintendent Sean McDonald. "Our partnership with Care Solace became an integral part of our plan to ensure families get immediate support."

Solutions

Tempe Union partnered with Care Solace to ensure that every student, family, and staff member has 24/7 access to mental health and substance use care — without long wait times or confusing referral processes.

Here’s how TUHSD built a bridge to care:

24/7/365 Live Navigation

Students, staff, and families can call or use the Care Match platform any time, day or night. A live Care Companion conducts a needs assessment, searches the network for appropriate providers, and coordinates the full journey — from first contact to booked appointment.

Relieving Staff Burden

School staff can now make quick referrals through one streamlined system, freeing them to focus on direct student support rather than time-consuming coordination.

Multilingual, Culturally Responsive Matching

With support in over 200 languages, Care Solace meets Tempe's diverse community where they are — matching individuals not just by insurance and availability, but by language, cultural background, and specific care needs.

Student-Led Awareness Campaigns

Students took the lead in shaping the district’s new policy, organizing fundraisers for Teen Lifeline and helping normalize conversations about mental health.

"Prioritizing mental health as a district has made a big difference, but really demonstrating to students the new resources we have, including Care Solace, has made a big difference in students feeling more comfortable reaching out for help."

Armando Montero

Board Member

Real Impact

The impact of Tempe Union’s comprehensive mental health approach has been both measurable and deeply personal.

Reduced Wait Times: Families are now being connected to care in days, not weeks.
Increased Utilization: More students and families are actively seeking help, a sign that stigma is decreasing and awareness is growing.
Empowered Staff: Counselors and administrators report feeling more supported and confident referring students for care.
Youth Empowerment: Student representatives continue to lead conversations about mental wellness across campuses, reinforcing that mental health is a shared priority.

"With Care Solace, we can provide immediate support," McDonald said. "Even my own family struggled during the pandemic—it was life-changing to get help so quickly."

Tempe Union has seen 1,152 service requests:

45%

of referrals struggled with anxiety and depression and 15.1% experienced suicidal ideation and self-harm.

37%

of those assisted had public, military, or no insurance, aiding even the most vulnerable populations.

2.14

days is the average time it took to match individuals to a provider. Without Care Solace, the average time is 6 weeks.

63%

of cases came from the BIPOC community. Care Solace provides access to care for diverse communities.

Looking Forward

Tempe Union High School District’s commitment to student voice, equity, and access has transformed how the community approaches mental health. By integrating Care Solace into its broader wellness strategy, TUHSD has not only increased access to care but also taken powerful steps toward breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

Through courageous leadership, collaboration, and compassion, Tempe Union has created a model for other districts — one where students are heard, help is immediate, and mental health is prioritized as part of everyday learning.