Albertville City Schools in North Alabama are set to enhance their mental health services significantly, thanks to a $3.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education's School Based Mental Health Services program.
The funding will allow the district to hire and train additional mental health staff, aiming for at least one credentialed counselor per school. Superintendent Bart Reeves stated, "This grant is a pivotal moment for Albertville City Schools, enabling us to strengthen mental health services for our students."
With approximately 16% of students missing over 18 days of school last year, part of the grant will address chronic truancy by hiring a part-time employee to identify students needing mental health support through home visits.
The initiative also includes creating a program for students to become "mental health advocates" and offering translation services for counseling sessions. This grant is part of a broader $70 million federal initiative aimed at increasing mental health professionals in schools, particularly in underserved areas.
Similar efforts are underway in Birmingham City Schools, which received a $3.1 million grant to hire up to 25 mental health providers, illustrating a growing recognition of the importance of mental health support in educational settings.