NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
ANACORTES, WA — February 13, 2023
Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD) Awarded $11.4 million federal Department of Education (DOE) grant to expand school-based mental health services
The NWESD is proud to announce that it has been selected as the recipient of substantial federal funding that will enable the NWESD to recruit, place, support, and retain 20 credentialed school-based mental health professionals (SBMHP+) with the requisite training and clinical supervision necessary to provide clinical behavioral health supports – assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions, mental health therapy, and case management for K-12 students.
The DOE grant totaled $11,412,471 to provide essential mental health support to students in the region. These funds support 75% of the total project cost, with the remaining 25% ($2,853,118) non-Federal funds leveraged through local, county, and state partnerships. The total project will result in a $14,265,589 investment over the next five years.
“Families are urgently seeking mental health supports for children and youth and this funding will allow access to these kinds of services within their school community. For our youngest students family involvement is a key part of delivering the best possible care. Older students will be able to independently access supports,” said Natalie Gustafson, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health & Prevention Services and Project Director.
The NWESD serves 35 school districts in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties with over 165,000+ students, 10,000+ teachers, and 368 schools. The NWESD Behavioral Health and Prevention Services department currently employs 50+ staff members who offer substance use prevention and intervention, student assistance, attendance and reengagement supports, and mental health services.
Recognizing that students may want to see an SBMHP+ who has a background or culture like their own, the NWESD will employ recruitment and retention strategies that expand the diversity of credentialed school-based mental health professionals serving K-12 students.
Jodie DesBiens, Director of Behavioral Health & Prevention Services said, “Regionally, we see students with increased frequency and intensity of mental health symptoms. The current services in schools and in the communities have not been able to meet the high demand.”
“Navigating mental health supports is challenging. When children can access this level of services within their school building many barriers are eliminated. This decreases stress for students and families as well as increases capacity for schools to respond to student mental health needs,” said Gustafson.
Districts interested in having a SBMHP+ will have the opportunity to submit a Partnership Request Form. Partnership requires a commitment to integrate services and cost-sharing. We anticipate services will begin in the Spring of 2023.
The NWESD will begin the process of recruiting mental health professionals who are interested in providing school-based services which offer unique opportunities to collaborate with educators to improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for students. Interested applicants will be able to find more information on the www.nwesd.org/jobs website when posted.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to supplement and scale the work we are doing with our health and education partners to address the mental health needs of children and youth in our school communities,” said Larry Francois NWESD Superintendent.
The NWESD, located in Anacortes, is one of nine Educational Service Districts in Washington State. The NWESD serves 35 school districts in San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, providing leadership and cooperative services to the educational communities in the northwest region.
Contacts:
Media Inquiries: Jessica Owens, NWESD Communications Specialist | 360-299-4714
Program Information: Natalie Gustafson, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health & Prevention Services and Project Director | 360-299-4038
