NWESD Receives Federal Grant Essential mental health supports for K-12 students in the region

Earlier this year, the Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD) was selected as the recipient of substantial federal funding to provide essential mental health support to K-12 students in the region. The Department of Education grant totals $11,412,471, supporting 75% of the total project cost, with the remaining 25% ($2,853,118) non-Federal funds leveraged through local, county, and state partnerships. This funding will enable the NWESD to recruit, place, support, and retain 20 credentialed school-based mental health professionals (SBMHP+) with the requisite training and clinical supervision necessary to provide clinical behavioral health supports – assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions, mental health therapy, and case management.

The total project will result in a $14,265,589 investment over the next five years, bringing much-needed mental health support to students in the 35 school districts served by the NWESD in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, encompassing over 165,000+ students, 10,000+ teachers, and 368 schools.

Students’ mental health is of utmost importance, the NWESD is excited to be able to offer this crucial service within their school community. The NWESD Behavioral Health and Prevention Services department currently employs 50+ staff members who offer substance use prevention and intervention, student assistance, attendance and reengagement supports, and mental health services.

Recognizing that students may want to see an SBMHP+ who has a background or culture like their own, the NWESD will employ recruitment and retention strategies that expand the diversity of credentialed school-based mental health professionals serving K-12 students. There is an increased frequency and intensity of mental health symptoms in the region. The current services in schools and in the communities have not been able to meet the high demand.

The NWESD looks forward to this opportunity to supplement and scale the work its doing with health and education partners to address the mental health needs of children and youth in the region. The NWESD is committed to ensuring students can access this level of services within their school building, eliminating barriers, decreasing stress for students and families, and increasing capacity for schools to respond to student mental health needs.

Districts interested in having a SBMHP+ will have the opportunity to submit a Partnership Request Form. Partnership requires a commitment to integrate services and cost-sharing.