Mara Madrigal-Weiss, the executive director of student wellness and school culture for the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), has been chosen to serve as chair of the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission for a third consecutive year, beginning in January 2024. With this appointment, she becomes the longest-serving Latina chair in the commission’s 20-year history. Since 2017, she has represented the State Superintendent of Public Instruction on the commission as its designee.
Apart from her role as chair, Madrigal-Weiss also serves as chair of the Prevention and Early Intervention Subcommittee and vice chair of the Workplace Mental Health Committee. In addition to her work with these committees, she previously served as commission vice chair after being elected in 2019.
In recognition of her efforts to promote mental health among students, families, and schools, Madrigal-Weiss was awarded the first Wellness Together Mental Health Innovator Award earlier this fall. Her team at SDCOE operates a virtual wellness center that provides mental health support resources to students, families, and schools. She regularly contributes to SDCOE’s resource guide library by creating guides for educators and resources for various holidays.
Madrigal-Weiss has been committed to promoting health and wellness throughout her career at SDCOE. Her dedication to this cause is evident through her work with various committees and initiatives aimed at improving mental health services for students in San Diego County schools.