MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has been awarded a $10 million federal grant aimed at enhancing mental health services for students across the state. The five-year funding, granted by the U.S. Department of Education, will be used to bolster the mental health staff capacity in schools.
This grant is part of the 2024 School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant Program and builds on the successes of the DPI’s previous participation in a similar program launched in 2020. The new funding will continue efforts to ensure that Wisconsin’s school districts have sufficient mental health professionals to meet the growing needs of students.
DPI was one of 22 recipients nationwide selected for the grant, which will enable the department to expand its mental health services across schools. The department’s efforts will focus on increasing recruitment, retention, and the diversity of mental health staff within schools, ensuring that students receive the support they need to succeed academically and personally.
Building on Previous Successes
The $10 million grant follows DPI’s successful participation in the 2020 School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant Program, which made significant strides in improving student access to mental health services. As part of that initiative, DPI reduced the ratio of students to school-based mental health professionals by 14% in participating districts and hired nearly 350 additional mental health professionals since the 2021-2022 school year.
Furthermore, the program also led to a notable increase in the number of students enrolling in University of Wisconsin graduate pupil services certification programs. Over the past two years, enrollment in these programs has surged by 487 new students, highlighting the growing interest in mental health careers within the state.
Expanding Access to Mental Health Professionals
The new funding will be used to continue and expand the recruitment of mental health professionals for schools across Wisconsin. DPI plans to extend online certification pathways from high school through post-graduate programs to increase the pool of qualified candidates. A “Grow Your Own” initiative will also be launched to attract diverse individuals to the field, with a particular focus on reflecting the racial and ethnic diversity of Wisconsin’s student population.
State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly expressed her gratitude for the support from the Biden-Harris Administration, emphasizing the importance of addressing the mental health needs of students. “I am grateful for the administration in recognizing the urgent need to improve mental health services in our schools. Together, we will work to ensure every student has access to the support they need to thrive,” Underly said.
With this new grant, DPI is poised to make a meaningful impact on student mental health in Wisconsin, further improving access to essential services and fostering a supportive learning environment for all students.
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