SAN JOSE, CA (October 19, 2021) – “The new report issued today by the U.S. Department of Education is a welcome step in raising our national consciousness around how the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on the mental health of the nation’s youth. We’re encouraged to see that the Department’s report largely echoes the findings and recommendations published by SVLG last month in our report examining how Bay Area schools are addressing the underlying stressors and concerns facing local youth,” said Sara Garcia, Director of Education & Workforce Development at SVLG.