LEA School-Based Mental Health Services State Funding Estimates

Dear District Administrators,

The 2023-25 State Budget, WI Act 19, changed how funds are distributed under the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant program, from a competition to a per pupil allocation to all school districts and Independent Charter Schools (ICS).

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimated that the $25 million per year of funding under Act 19 will provide about $31 per pupil, based on 2022-23 revenue limit membership and ICS enrollments. The aid payments in fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025 will depend on actual enrollments.

Estimated allocations for the current school year have been posted on the School-Based Mental Health Services State Funding Webpage. Finalized allocations will be provided in June, and a single aid payment will be distributed on the last Monday of June.

This program will be funded on an annual basis per state statute unless changed by future legislation. While the funding is intended to be used to support student mental health in the year the funding is provided, the funds can be carried over and spent in a subsequent year. For more information on using the funding, reference the School-Based Mental Health State Funding Guidelines and the School-Based Mental Health Services State Funds FAQ.

It is important to note that State Superintendent Underly’s 2023-25 budget request for school aids included $127.9 million annually to support schools in providing comprehensive mental health programming. Specifically, the requested funding would have provided every school district and independent charter school with a base amount of $100,000 plus $100 per pupil, each year; and would have permitted schools to use the funding for a broad array of purposes to meet the overarching goal of providing comprehensive support to students during the school day and while they are engaged in after school and other out-of-time school programs.

The Legislature ended up providing two years of a smaller increase to the grant program (a $15 million increase over the previous $10 million annual) under Act 19. Those increases are set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 school year. State Superintendent Underly continues to advocate for more state funding for comprehensive mental health programming and intends to request more in her next state budget request.

If you have any questions, please contact Liz Krubsack at elizabeth.krubsack@dpi.wi.gov or Jessica Frain at jessica.frain@dpi.wi.gov.

Sincerely,