News Update

Biden administration adds nearly $100 million for school mental health professionals

Fourteen colleges and school districts in California are among those that will receive federal grants to hire and train mental health professionals in high-needs schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Monday.

The grants are part of an overall investment of more than $95 million, spread among 35 states, through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The money is in addition to $286 million the administration has already awarded to train and hire mental health professionals and diversify the field.

California institutions among the latest round of grantees are:  San Francisco State University, University Corporation at Monterey Bay, Los Angeles Unified School District, Santa Ana Unified School District, Riverside County Office of Education, Del Norte County Unified School District, University of the Pacific, San Diego County Office of Education, Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation, Solano County Superintendent of Schools, Santa Clara County Office of Education, California State University Long Beach Research Foundation, Northern Humboldt Union High School District and Oxnard School District.

Overall, the grants are expected to fund 2,173 new school mental health professionals in California.

The department expects to award more grants for school-based mental health services over the next five years, as part of President Joe Biden’s goal to double the number of school counselors, psychologists and social workers.


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