January 9, 2023 3:40 a.m.
On Friday, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that four Oregon School Districts will receive a combined nearly $20 million in competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Education to hire additional licensed mental health providers over the next five years.
Wyden said, “students, teachers and counselors across Oregon tell me just how crucial school-based mental health services are to young people facing challenges at home and in the classroom – but these services are stretched to the breaking point”. Wyden said while he is gratified to see this investment in Douglas, Jackson and Multnomah county school districts, more providers are needed state-and nationwide.
Merkley said, “Mental health care is essential health care, especially for school-age kids, which is why I introduced the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act to put more providers in schools”. Merkley said children’s success in the classroom is more than just test scores, “…and with the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and other unprecedented global and weather events greatly impacting the growth and experience of our school-aged kids, we must invest in programs that provide social and emotional support to all students”.
A release from the senators said the School Based Mental Health grant program through the U.S. Department of Education provides funds intended to recruit and retain school-based mental health service providers, as well as increase the diversity and cultural/linguistic competency among providers. The grant allocations are:
*$6,808,215 to the Douglas Education Service District
*$2,649,732 to Jackson County School District #4 Phoenix-Talent Schools
*$5,538,155 to School District 1J Multnomah County
*$4,918,177 to Corbett School District 39
The release included words of thanks from each of the districts.
Douglas ESD Superintendent Analicia Nicholson said, “This grant will play a critical role to expand mental health support throughout thirteen component school districts in Douglas County. The increased services will positively impact our students, families, staff and community”.
A full release is linked: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-nearly-20-million-to-oregon-school-districts-to-hire-more-mental-health-providers