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School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Now Available

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

The Department of Public instruction (DPI) is pleased to announce the 2021-23 Competition for the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant (SBMH).

The DPI's SBMH grant program, authorized under Wis. Stat. sec. 115.367, is designed to support public school districts, independent charter schools and consortium of these, in collaborating with community mental health providers to develop and implement comprehensive school-based mental health programs and practices.

Grantees have used grant funds to support staff training in school-based mental health practices such as trauma-sensitive schools, social and emotional learning, and mental health literacy. Funds can be used to purchase evidence-based curriculum and materials necessary to support the curriculum. Grantees may use funds for positions that support the grant work plan.

Collaborations with community mental health providers include activities such as co-leading groups with school-based mental health providers, working to develop a clear and effective referral pathway, consulting with school staff regarding student needs, and providing training to staff and parents. While grant funds cannot pay for direct treatment services, many grantees work with community providers to locate clinics in school buildings to provide easier access to treatment and support services.

These are two-year grants (2021-2023). Applicants may request an amount between $10,000 and $75,000 and grantees will receive that amount in each of the two years. Applications submitted will be for the first year of the project only. Near the end of the first year, grantees will be required to complete a Grant Renewal Form. This is not a competitive process; rather, this will allow grantees to adjust their plan if necessary and submit the budget for the second year of the grant.

For the 2021-23 SBMH grant cycle, DPI is using the WizeHive online platform. All grants submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2021, will be reviewed. The review process takes place in two phases:

1) External: school, community, and state personnel with background and knowledge in programs and services related to SBMH and the health and well-being of children review grants using a reviewer benchmark rubric.

2) Internal: DPI education consultants will review the projects to confirm ratings and to approve or make modifications/revisions in the plans and/or budgets so as to fund as many projects as possible and ensure budget items are fundable under the prescribed grant appropriation. Grantees are expected to be announced in July of 2021.

The application online portal link, guidelines, scoring rubric, and a PDF copy of the application (for reference only) can be found on the SBMH Grant web page.

A live, virtual SBMH Grant Writing Workshop will be offered on February 2, 2021, from 12:30-2:00. Registration is not required. To join the webinar:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85462558068

Meeting ID: 854 6255 8068

One tap mobile

+13126266799, 85462558068# US (Chicago)

This webinar will be recorded and available on the SBMH Grant web page once it has been closed captioned.

For Questions about the State SBMH Program Grant contact: schoolmentalhealthservicesgrant@dpi.wi.gov

Subscriber Submission: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Student Services / Prevention and Wellness