09/15/2026
We’re so pleased to share the impact of Vista RISE (Substance Use Disorder Services) in Santa Monica-Malibu USD schools. This picture of the team and update below from Team Lead, Jason Sobel captures how crucial substance use education and support are to students. We would like to thank our grant partner Saint John’s Health Center Foundation for their support in making this program possible.
In Jason’s words:
Vista RISE’s first year serving SMMUSD students has been an exciting success! At the heart of that success is the care and support we provide, reflected in the experiences and engagement of our participants.
In feedback surveys, students consistently shared that they felt welcomed, respected, and supported, and described valuing the collaborative nature of our services and the opportunity to work toward personal goals that were meaningful to them.
Beyond individual substance use counseling, our team also engaged students through educational and prevention focused classroom presentations, expanding our reach and allowing us to connect with students beyond those receiving direct services. We’re grateful for the help that has made this work possible and for the opportunity to become a valuable part of the on-campus student support network.
As we continue building strong partnerships throughout the school community, we’re excited to keep expanding our reach and providing substance use counseling, education, and early intervention services for SMMUSD students.