Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (720)
Request Title
School-Based Mental Health Integration Pilot
Biennium
2022-2024
Budget Round
Initial Bill
Half Sheet Number
311 #3c
Description
This amendment provides $2.5 million from the general fund each year for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and partners to provide technical assistance to school divisions seeking guidance on integrating mental health services, and to make grants to school divisions to contract for community-based mental health services for students from public or private community-based providers. These funds can enhance the current school-based mental health services by offering more flexible clinical capacity for service and programming needs that are beyond the scope of school-based personnel. The funds can also be used to continue new programs and interventions supported by federal recovery funds. The pilot programs will report back to DBHDS and the Behavioral Health Commission on the success factors for integrating behavioral health in education settings and identify funding recommendations and resources needed to continue these efforts.