School-based mental health services in Riverside County are receiving a boost after a U.S. Department of Education School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program awarded $15.6 million to the Riverside County Office of Education.
“Mental health services are an educational imperative for student success, and this grant will expand access to school-based services for thousands of students from diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “The community looks to our public school system to meet the educational needs of all students, and the increased need for mental health services at local schools and districts will benefit students in the classroom, families in the community, and our region as a whole.”
“As a former educator, I know from my time in the classroom that access to culturally competent mental health services is instrumental to a student’s success,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “I’m thrilled to see this robust funding come to Riverside, equipping our schools with the resources needed to train and retain the mental health professionals that will serve our students.”
The program will initially serve students in Jurupa USD, Beaumont USD, and Moreno Valley USD. In addition, students in local educational agencies across Riverside County will be served over the five-year span of the grant.
Three primary objectives of the grant include:
· Recruitment of school-based licensed mental health providers and interns
· Mental health service delivery
· Retention of mental health providers and interns through professional development, scholarship program, and other retention activities
Proposed outcomes of the grant through 2027 include: Increasing school-based providers from diverse backgrounds, increasing access by lowering the ratio of students to counselors, and increasing retention of current providers.
For more information on the grant program, please contact Kathy King, Director, Leadership, Wellness and Student Services Division, at the Riverside County Office of Education, at kking@rcoe.us or 951.826.6557.
In accordance with Division H, Title V, Section 505 of Public Law 116-260, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, the following information is provided:
1) Percentage of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with Federal money (75%)
2) Dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or program ($15,685,682)
3) Percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources (25%, $ 4,677,438)
About the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)
RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states. RCOE services include administrative support to districts, programs for preschool, special education, pregnant minor, correctional, migrant, and vocational students. In addition, the organization provides professional training, support and resources for more than 18,000 teachers, administrators and staff throughout the 7,000 square miles of Riverside County. Learn more at www.rcoe.us