Focus on student mental health services expanding
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), has received a federal grant award, to aid Wisconsin schools in expanding priority areas in student mental health. Through a competitive grant process, Wisconsin was one of six states, selected to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education earlier in October.
The federal grant awards $10 million over five years, and will fund the DPI’s School-based Mental Health Profes- sionals Federal Grant Program.
“Almost 60 percent of Wisconsin high school students, reported experiencing mental health challenges in the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey,” said state superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor. “There must be a continuous effort across our state, to expand partnerships and resources, to ensure the mental wellness of all students. This grant program will help further our progress in addressing the individual needs of students and will provide further support across the state.”
Funding from the DPI’s School-based Mental Health Professionals Federal Grant Program, will assist high-need school districts in recruiting and retaining pupil services staff, such as school counselors, school social workers and school psychologists; help reduce high student-to-pupil services ratios; as well as increase graduate training opportunities for those interested in pursuing a school-based mental health profession.
The grant program will also seek to increase the diversity within these professions, to better reflect the diversity of Wisconsin’s student population.
