2024 Federal School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant
In November 2024, the Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Team was awarded another five year, $10 million grant from the Federal Department of Education to expand successful 2020 grant efforts to increase the recruitment, retention and diversification of school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers through a multi-faceted approach. Including:
- Extending online certification pathways beginning in high school through post-graduate programming.
- Developing a “Grow Your Own” process to attract diverse school based mental health professionals (SBMHP) candidates.
- Expanding service delivery models, such as teleservice to increase access to SBMHP.
More information regarding the 2024 Federal School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant will be provided as it becomes available.
For the purposes of this grant, SBMH Professionals include school psychologists, school counselors, and school social workers
2020 Federal School Based Mental Health Professionals Grant Program
In 2020, the DPI was one of six states selected to pilot the Federal School Based Mental Health Professionals Grant Program. Wisconsin was awarded the $10 Million grant over 5 years ending September 30, 2025. The 2024 School Based Mental Health Services Grant will build on these successes to expand student access to school mental health services in Wisconsin.
- Outcomes
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- To date, this pilot project successfully reduced student to school based mental health professionals ratios by 14 percent in selected local education agencies (LEA). That is 165 students to one pupil service provider in selected partnering school districts.
- Current ratio of students to pupil services providers in selected LEAs (11) is 165 students to SBMHP.
- Over 348 school counselors, school psychologists and school social workers have been hired in partnering LEAs since 2021-2022.
- Nine partnering University of Wisconsin graduate pupil services certification programs have increased their enrollment by 487 new students through this project in the last two years. The 2024 School Based Mental Health Services Grant will build on these successes to expand student access to school mental health services in Wisconsin.
- Selected Partnering Districts
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- Appleton
- Ashland
- Bayfield
- Delavan-Darien
- Eau Claire
- Green Bay
- Lac Du Flambeau
- Menomonie
- Madison
- Milwaukee
- West Allis/West Milwaukee
- Partnering University of Wisconsin Graduate Pupil Services Certification Programs
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- La Crosse School Psychology
- Green Bay School Social Work
- Madison School Social Work
- Milwaukee School Counseling
- Milwaukee School Psychology
- Milwaukee School Social Work
- Stout School Counseling
- Superior School Counseling
- Whitewater School Counseling
- Whitewater School Social Work
- Whitewater School Psychology
Grant Resources
School Based Mental Health Professionals in Wisconsin Document (2023) - This document is intended to provide information to all stakeholders about roles, training, licensing, knowledge, and skills of School Counselors, School Nurses, School Psychologists, School Social Workers, and Credentialed Mental Health Providers. These professionals work collaboratively to meet the many needs of students and staff with their unique skills, training, and expertise through a team-based approach. School systems are best supported when school mental health professionals are employed in sufficient numbers and with a clear understanding of appropriate expectations for their roles.
Federal School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant Program and University of WI Programs Partnerships - The Federal School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant Program has partnered with ten University of Wisconsin Pupil Services Programs to expand opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a career as a School Psychologist, School Social Worker or School Counselor. View the program descriptions for each of these ten UW Programs.
2020 Wisconsin School-Based Mental Health Professional Project Video - DPI has developed a video overview of the 2020 Wisconsin School-Based Mental Health Professional Project which highlights the main components of the project and may be shared with staff and stakeholders looking for more information.