School Health Connection

Future Social Workers, Present Impact: Inside School-Based Health Internships

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0800

In this episode of the School Health Connection Podcast, host Hector Murrieta welcomes three graduate social work interns who are making a meaningful difference in school-based health centers across the Inland Empire. Evelyn Paredes Topete, Naive Contreras, and Michell Perez Landeros share their journeys into social work, their day-to-day responsibilities, and the profound relationships they build with students.

The conversation highlights the critical role interns play in expanding mental health access, addressing basic needs, and supporting the “whole child.” From combating chronic absenteeism to connecting families with food, housing, transportation, and healthcare resources, these emerging professionals offer a firsthand look at the challenges students face — and the interventions that help them thrive.

Where to find the School Health Connection Podcast:
SBCSS Website, Buzzsprout, Spotify, iHeart and Amazon Music
School-based Health Center information: California School-Based Health Alliance Visit Inland Empire School Health Coalition to join the Coalition Check out past recorded webinars on School-Based Health Centers: 2023-2024 2022-2023.
For more information on Healthy SBCSS, visit www.healthysbcss.net or contact Ms. Farrah Northcott, RD, Director, Healthy SBCSS by calling 909.386.2775 To contact today’s podcast host, please email: hector.murrieta@sbcusd.k12.ca.us If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Inland Empire School-Based Health Centers Coalition Symposium

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0800

This episode is a special one, as this is a recording of a student-led panel that took place at the second annual Inland Empire School-Based Health Centers Coalition Symposium. The student panel members are all students from the San Bernardino City Unified School District.

Sharing Jurupa Unified School District's Health Services Journey

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0700

Hector Murrieta, principal of Sierra High School, hosts the School Health Connection podcast, featuring Jose Campos, Director of Parent Involvement and Community Outreach at Jurupa Unified School District in Riverside County. Campos discusses the district's expansion of school-based mental health services and leveraging the new Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) fee schedule.

Join the Inland Empire School Health Symposium on Monday, October 2, 2025. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.schoolhealthcenters.org/our-work/regions/inland-empire/

Dr. Scott Weiner and Suhanee Mitragotri, Harvard University: Naloxone Training

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0800

Hector Murrieta, Principal of Sierra High School, hosts a podcast episode 4 on the opioid crisis and naloxone education. Guests Suhanee Mitragotri, a Harvard student, and Dr. Scott Weiner discuss the rise and fall of opioid overdose deaths, with a peak of 80,000 in 2021 and a current rate of 60,000. They highlight the importance of naloxone, now available over the counter, in reversing opioid overdoses. Suhanee's Naloxone Education Initiative trains high school students to recognize and respond to overdoses. They emphasize the need for harm reduction and the importance of integrating naloxone education into school health curricula.

Sounds great. Can you add these links for the show notes:

Harvard Program: https://steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu/naloxone-administration-program/#naloxone_education
Training slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZqkVwmt1B7g2dhN7nVaYrN3wQsrgIOIVethsRymrvws/edit?usp=sharingTraining script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LVEDB8AeqJJpPis1mz6-4MYRTl2Onwx31sczhSN5pCU/edit?usp=sharing

Local Resources:

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health: https://dph.sbcounty.gov/programs/health-edu/opioid-initiative/

Overdose Youth Safety in the Inland Empire (ODYSIE) Program: https://odysie.org/

Daysi Silvas Ramirez Peer Support Associate • Homeless Education SBCSS

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Sierra High School Principal Hector Murrieta hosts the School Health Connection podcast, featuring Daysi Silvas-Ramirez, a peer support associate at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. Daysi, a recent college graduate and advocate for mental health, shares her experiences as a foster youth and the impact of mental health support during her high school years. She emphasizes the importance of non-judgmental listening and the role of counselors in her life. Daysi advises school personnel to pay attention to high-achieving students who may be overlooked. She also highlights the value of peer support associates and encourages schools to utilize their services.

Dr. Lexi Backstrom: Riverside County Office of Education

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0700

Lexi Backstrom and Hector Murrieta discussed the Riverside County Office of Education's CAREspace program, which provides free mental health services to everyone in Riverside County. The conversation also touched on the office's creative programs, including Lucky PAWS, a pet adoption program. CAREspace services can be accessed by calling 951-276-CARE (2273) or by going to www.rcoe.us/carespace and filling out the online referral form.

Sierra High School's School Based Health Center

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:00:00 -0700

With us today are Dr. Maya Boustani and Yesenia Ceballos to engage in a conversation around the development and implementation of the school based health center at Sierra High School. The hope and intent is that listeners can glean from the conversation, meaningful and useful information and ideas as they embark in their development and implementation of school based health centers in their schools and communities.

School Health Connection - Trailer

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:00:00 -0700

The School Health Connection Podcast is your go to source for insights and inspiration in creating healthier school environments. Brought to you by the California School Based Health Alliance, Inland Empire School Health Coalition, and in collaboration with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.