Orange County Schools to Cut $8M in Mental Health Services

District cites declining enrollment as reason for reductions, raising concerns among parents and staff

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:38am

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A highly stylized, abstract grid of brightly colored school supplies and textbooks, conveying the concept of educational resources and student support services in an artistic, pop art-inspired manner.As budget cuts force Orange County schools to scale back mental health resources, concerns grow over the impact on vulnerable students.Orange Today

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) in Florida plans to cut more than $8 million from its mental health services, a decision district leaders say is tied to declining student enrollment. The cuts will eliminate all SAFE Coordinator positions, which have provided critical support to students facing challenges like mental health issues, family crises, and food insecurity. Parents and staff are raising serious concerns that this will leave thousands of students without access to vital resources.

Why it matters

The SAFE program has been praised for its impact, with district leaders saying it has 'saved thousands' of students. The elimination of SAFE Coordinators, along with reductions in social workers, mental health counselors, and psychologists, raises questions about how OCPS will continue to support students' mental health and wellbeing amid the budget cuts.

The details

OCPS is eliminating all SAFE Coordinator positions, part of a long-standing program that has supported students facing a range of challenges. The district says the coordinator role overlaps with school-based social workers, making it a target for cuts. However, the daughter of the SAFE program's creator warns that 'the ones that are hurting the most are the ones who need this the most' and that the cuts will hurt the students who need the most help. In addition to the SAFE Coordinator cuts, the district is also reducing 12 social workers, 15 mental health counselors, and 6 psychologists, with social workers and psychologists serving multiple schools.

  • The SAFE program was created in the 1980s.
  • In 2022, the district released a video praising the SAFE program's impact.
  • The district announced the cuts in a letter to union leaders this week.

The players

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS)

The public school district in Orange County, Florida that is implementing the mental health service cuts.

Marge Labarge

The creator of the SAFE (Student Assistance and Family Empowerment) program in the 1980s.

Lollie Wahl

Labarge's daughter and an OCPS parent who is concerned about the impact of the SAFE Coordinator cuts.

Angie Ghali-Crider

An OCPS parent who is worried that students, particularly those in high-need schools, could be overlooked without the SAFE Coordinators.

Orange County Classroom Teachers Association

The union representing teachers in Orange County, which has expressed serious concerns about the cuts.

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What they’re saying

“'The ones that are hurting the most are the ones who need this the most. They may not have somebody to voice that for them.'”

— Lollie Wahl, SAFE program creator's daughter and OCPS parent

“'There's going to be a lot of students... that are not going to be addressed. They're going to be pushed on the back burner.'”

— Angie Ghali-Crider, OCPS parent

“'We are very concerned about the cuts the district is making. When reductions are necessary, they should be made as far away from direct impact on students as possible, starting at the cabinet and executive levels, not in classrooms and student services.'”

— Orange County Classroom Teachers Association

What’s next

The district says that instead of SAFE coordinators, students will receive 'direct counseling services from certified school counselors and social workers -- improving access to care and strengthening student-to-certified staff ratios.' However, the union representatives say this will significantly limit students' access to care.

The takeaway

The cuts to mental health services in Orange County schools highlight the difficult decisions districts face amid declining enrollment and budget pressures. While the district claims the changes will improve student-to-staff ratios, parents and advocates warn that vulnerable students could fall through the cracks without the specialized support provided by the SAFE program.