Student and Community Services
About Student and Community Services
The Student and Community Services Division provides direct instruction through Early Care and Education programs and Juvenile Court and Community Schools, while also offering specialized services through various departments and programs designed to support students, families, and communities throughout Santa Barbara County.
The division's work is centered around three primary focus areas:
- Student and Family Support
- Career and Technical Education
- Health and Safety
The division also administers three non-profits to expand its reach and impact:
- Children's Creative Project
- Children and Family Resource Services
- Partners in Education
Contacts
Bridget Baublits
Associate Superintendent
Student and Community Services
bbaublits@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5265
Brigitte Almquist
Administrative Analyst
Student and Community Services
balmquist@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5217
Michelle Sakai-Hart
Administrative Assistant
Student and Community Services
msakaihart@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5477
Programs
SBCEO supports schools in building the tools and systems they need to strengthen behavioral health services. By working together and creating spaces to learn from one another, we help connect the many groups that serve children in our county, building a more coordinated and supportive system of care.
Shannon Yorke
Director
Student and Community Services
syorke@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5380
School Climate &
Student Engagement
SBCEO provides leadership and coordination to support safe, inclusive, and engaging school environments throughout Santa Barbara County. We offer resources and technical assistance to school districts and county-operated programs in areas such as student attendance, expulsion and interdistrict transfer appeals, the triennial expelled youth plan, opioid overdose prevention, and tobacco use prevention education.
Elise Simmons, Ed.D.
Director
Student and Community Services
esimmons@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5213
SBCEO provides leadership and guidance to schools and districts in the development and implementation of Comprehensive School Safety Plans, behavioral threat assessment protocols, and emergency response procedures. A dedicated School Safety Liaison facilitates coordination among schools, law enforcement, and community partners, enabling consistent and effective responses to school safety concerns and crises countywide.
Dennis Thomas
School Safety Liaison
Student and Community Services
Student and Community Services
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5302
Departments
SBCEO's Career Technical Education (CTE) department supports TK-12 districts in developing high-quality pathways aligned with local industry needs through grant support, collaboration, and targeted CTE educator experiences.
Sarah Cameron
Director, Career Technical Education
scameron@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 2531
SBCEO's Early Care and Education (ECE) department is a regional leader in supporting families, early educators, administrators, and caregivers to promote high-quality childcare and early education throughout Santa Barbara County.
Janelle Willis
Administrator, Early Care and Education Programs
jwillis@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 4464
Juvenile Court & Community Schools
SBCEO's Juvenile Court & Community Schools (JCCS) operates two schools; Dos Puertas, located within the Santa Maria Juvenile Justice Center, operates in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Probation Department. and Peter B. FitzGerald Community School, located in Santa Maria, serves students in grades 7-12.
Rene Wheeler
Director, Juvenile Court and Community Schools
rwheeler@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 2210
SBCEO's Transitional Youth Services (TYS) ensures a strong system of support for foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County. Guided by laws, principles, and collaboration, TYS focuses on mitigating challenges and improving educational experiences and academic outcomes.
Amy Willis
Director, Transitional Youth Services
awillis@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 4415
Non-Profits
Supporting TK-12 arts education in Santa Barbara County schools.
Kai Tepper
Executive Director, Children's Creative Project
ktepper@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 4411
Connecting families to resources, from health screenings to social services.
children & family
resource services
MaryEllen Rehse, MSW
Executive Director, Children & Family Resource Services
mrehse@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 4480
Preparing students for the future by connecting schools to businesses, volunteers, & technology.
Chelsea Pacino Duffy
Executive Director
Partners in Education
Partners in Education
(805) 964-4710, ext. 4421