Santa Rita Union School District:
Turning to Teletherapy in a Quest for Quality
Case Study
Discover how Santa Rita Union School District (SRUSD) in California tackled therapist shortages and improved student services with eLuma’s virtual therapy solutions. This case study explores how SRUSD overcame staffing challenges, expanded access to specialized services, and ensured continuity of care for students.
About Santa Rita Union School District
Santa Rita Union School District (SRUSD) serves students in Salinas, California, a region known for its agricultural industry and diverse community. Many students come from non-English-speaking households and qualify for free or reduced-price meals, creating a high need for accessible, high-quality student support services.
Table of Contents
In 2018, Nadene Dermody, Director of Special Education for SRUSD, faced a growing challenge—recruiting and retaining qualified speech and occupational therapists.
The district had a rising caseload but struggled to find professionals, particularly bilingual providers, to support its diverse student population.
“The teacher shortage doesn’t just apply to teachers. We need counselors, therapists, and other skilled professionals to ensure good outcomes for our students.”
With student needs increasing, Dermody sought an innovative solution to maintain service quality without delays.
A Strategic Move to Teletherapy
Despite initial skepticism, Dermody introduced eLuma’s teletherapy services in 2018-2019 as a pilot program for speech therapy at one elementary school. The results were promising; students engaged well, and staff saw the potential for broader implementation.
Encouraged by this success, SRUSD expanded eLuma’s teletherapy services across the district in 2019-2020, ensuring more students could receive timely, high-quality speech and occupational therapy.
“Staff, students, and parents were quickly won over. The district expanded the program, and the timing proved prescient when COVID-19 forced schools to pivot to online instruction. Because of our work with eLuma, we were already set up for success.”
Transforming Student Services with eLuma
Since partnering with eLuma, SRUSD has experienced significant benefits:
Eliminating Service Gaps – More students receive consistent therapy without waiting for in-person provider availability.
Bilingual Support – eLuma offers qualified bilingual therapists to meet the needs of SRUSD’s diverse student population.
Seamless Transition During COVID-19 – When schools shifted to online learning, SRUSD was already equipped to provide uninterrupted services.
“There’s never been a greater need for quality special education. Schools like SRUSD are proving that blending online and offline support can ensure students get the services they need without delay.”
Looking Ahead: Expanding Virtual Support
With the success of its teletherapy program, SRUSD is now exploring ways to further expand virtual services, particularly in counseling, to support students’ academic and emotional well-being better.
By leveraging eLuma’s expertise, SRUSD continues to innovate, ensuring students receive the highest quality support, regardless of staffing shortages or geographic barriers.
See How eLuma Can Support Your District
SRUSD’s journey highlights how virtual therapy can help schools overcome staffing shortages while maintaining high standards of care. If your district is facing similar challenges, learn how eLuma’s teletherapy services can help.