State awards $5.6 million to schools for mental health workers
Submitted by Brett Fisher on Wed, 01/13/2016 - 2:13pm
The Nevada Department of Education has awarded block grants to the neediest Nevada schools that will add a minimum of 161 social workers and other mental health professionals for immediate support of students in 132 schools statewide.
All eleven school districts that applied for the grant received funding, as well as six charter schools.
“Our schools are primed for excellence thanks to the recently enacted education bills,” said interim state Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Canavero. “As a parent myself, I am provided with comfort knowing our children’s physical and emotional safety is a priority in Nevada.”
Awards are need-based, and measured by scores from a recent school climate survey taken by students.
“This grant lays the foundation for paradigmatic change for Nevada’s students,” said Dr. Eddie Ableser, director of the Nevada Department of Education’s Office for Safe and Respectful Learning Environment. “We are emphasizing that an investment in our children’s social and emotional health and safety reaps massive dividends in their academic achievement.”
Schools will be able to re-apply for the Social Workers in Schools Block Grant this summer for the upcoming 2016-17 school year.
