The grant spans four years and will serve at least 7,500 middle school and high school youth and families in the VPS District

Vancouver Public Schools is one of several hundred schools in the country to receive funding from a school-based mental health services grant program through the U.S. Dept. of Education. The grant spans four years and will serve at least 7,500 middle school and high school youth and families in the VPS District.

The grant program provides funds for recruiting and retaining school-based mental health services providers, as well as increasing the diversity and cultural/linguistic competency among providers. The practitioners will receive comprehensive training with a particular focus on the students and communities the school serves. 

The school district will also use the funding to ensure that students will have access to mental health care that mirrors their cultural experience and that students are aware of how to access these services as needed. It will also ensure that staff feels supported and equipped with the tools to identify mental health needs in students.

This funding arrived at a crucial time when students’ needs for additional mental health supports are much higher than they have been in the past, but Federal funding (ESSER funds) granted during the pandemic for this purpose is set to sunset at the end of 2023. 

“We are grateful that the DOE has prioritized this need for students. This additional support will not only allow us to maintain essential mental health offerings for students but also offer them in a way that our diverse mix of students can relate to and utilize. There is no doubt that having supports like these for students is critical for their success, and better all around for the community.” said Dr. Jeff Snell, Vancouver Public Schools superintendent.

The DOE has designated funding of $1.7 million to VPS in year one. 

Information provided by Vancouver Public Schools.