Get Kids Ahead Initiative
Purpose
The Get Kids Ahead Initiative provides funding to Wisconsin school districts, independent charter schools, and tribal schools to help build Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHS). A CSMHS provides a continuum of services and supports to promote student and staff mental health and wellbeing. A CSMHS is not limited to treating mental illness or substance use disorders. Rather, it includes services and supports that promote social and emotional wellbeing, foster positive mental health and school culture, and eliminate systemic barriers to wellbeing and success for all students.
These “School Mental Health Spotlights” showcase examples of this work in Wisconsin school districts.
Allocations
Each school district, independent charter school, and tribal school that elected to participate in the Get Kids Ahead Initiative received an initial per-pupil allocation in spring 2022 (round one) and a second per-pupil allocation in spring 2023 (round two). Approximately $15 million was allocated to schools each round, for a total allocation of approximately $30 million. These allocations range from the minimum award of $10,000 to much higher awards for districts with large student populations. Please review the allocation spreadsheet for the exact payment amounts received by each school district, independent charter school, and tribal school.
Spending
See the GKA Spending Overview flyer to learn more about how school districts, independent charter schools, and tribal schools are using Get Kids Ahead Initiative funding to build and sustain comprehensive school mental health systems. Key strategies include increasing student and family access to therapy services, school mental health professional staffing, social emotional learning, staff training and professional development, mental health screening, family engagement and support, and programming related to suicide prevention, bullying prevention, and school safety.
The deadline for spending both rounds of Get Kids Ahead Initiative funding is December 31, 2024.
Each school district, independent charter school, and tribal school (“Grantee School”) must file a report with DPI by July 31, 2024, stating the amount of their allocation that was unspent as of June 30, 2024, and setting forth a plan for how they intend to spend any remaining funds before December 31, 2024. Each Grantee School must return, on or before August 31, 2024, those funds they do not intend to spend. As this date approaches, a survey will be sent to Grantee Schools to complete this reporting requirement as well as the annual reporting requirement of how funds were spent.
Grantee Schools which reported unspent funds by July 31, 2024 will be required to file a second report on or before October 31, 2024, stating the amount of their allocation that was unspent as of September 30, 2024, and setting forth a plan for how they intend to spend any remaining funds before December 31, 2024. DPI shall require each Grantee School to return, on or before November 30, 2024, those funds they do not intend to spend. DPI shall require each remaining Grantee School to return all unspent funds on or before January 31, 2025.
Coding Funds
Recipients of Get Kids Ahead (GKA) dollars (districts and independent charter schools) should code the funds as source 780 revenue.
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance questions can be directed to getmhs@dpi.wi.gov. DPI School Mental Health Consultants also offer office hours on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Please use this meeting link to connect with them virtually during this time.
Additional Resources
- Get Kids Ahead Initiative: FAQ
- Comprehensive School Mental Health Funding: Selecting High Leverage Activities
- Comprehensive School Mental Health Funding: Using Multiple and Diverse Sources
GKA Initiative: High-Leverage Strategies for Comprehensive School Mental Health Webinar - Do you want to ensure that your school district is spending Get Kids Ahead (GKA) Initiative funding in a way that is effective, impactful, and beneficial to students? This webinar spotlights a variety of high-leverage strategies that help to build equitable and sustainable Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHS). Strategies across the continuum of supports (mental health promotion [tier 1], early intervention [tier 2], and treatment services [tier 3]) are shared.