RALEIGH, N.C. (WECT) – North Carolina will receive more than $11 million in federal funding to expand mental health services in schools, the state Department of Public Instruction announced.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded two grants to support school psychology training and help recruit and retain mental health professionals in high-need and rural school districts.
The funding comes from a nationwide $208 million allocation through the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Program and the School-Based Mental Health Services Program.
“It is clear that mental health support is crucial for North Carolina’s public schools to fully support and nurture students,” said State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “These funds will allow our state to not only better serve our students, but also strengthen this essential talent pipeline.”
The first grant provides $4.8 million over four years for the NC School Psychology Internship Program. The program will pay salary and housing stipends for school psychology interns working in high-need, primarily rural school districts.
The grant also funds supervision for interns and training for both interns and practicing school psychologists. The training focuses on preventative and intensive mental health interventions for students.
A second grant awards $6.4 million over four years to the NC School Psychologists Supporting our Students project. This program will provide recruitment and retention stipends to increase the number of school psychologists in high-need districts.
The funding will also help rural districts train current educators to become school psychologists and return to serve their communities. The grant includes money for professional development to improve mental health intervention services.
The federal investment supports North Carolina’s efforts to address student mental health needs and build a sustainable school psychology workforce in rural and underserved areas.
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