El Monte Union Welcomes New Mental Health Coordinator

Dear El Monte Union Community,

The District is pleased to welcome Ritchie Meza as its new Mental Health Services Coordinator, bringing more than a decade of experience supporting students, families, and communities through mental health resources and social services. His background in school-based support, crisis intervention, and social-emotional services will help strengthen the resources available to students and families across the District.

Meza joins El Monte Union with extensive experience, including school-based support roles with Lynwood Unified and ABC Unified school districts. His experience includes crisis intervention, safety planning, and supporting children and families facing significant mental health challenges. Meza earned a master’s degree in social work from California State University, Long Beach, and has lived in the San Gabriel Valley for more than 20 years.

In his new role, Meza will lead the District’s implementation of the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative grant, which seeks to enhance existing mental health services at all El Monte Union school sites. As part of this effort, and through a partnership with Azusa Pacific University, Meza will spearhead the introduction of no-cost clinical mental health services for qualifying District students.

The services will be available to students with or without insurance and may be provided in person at El Monte Union schools, at Azusa Pacific University facilities, or through telehealth. These services will complement the mental health referral services already available through the District’s Wellness Centers.

Meza will also lead the District’s efforts to expand Medi-Cal enrollment through partnerships with community agencies, helping connect eligible students, and families with additional health care resources.

His expertise and commitment to student well-being will support the District’s continued efforts to prioritize the whole child and ensure students have access to mental health resources and comprehensive social-emotional support needed to thrive.