Governor Tom Wolf announced on Aug. 3 that there is $190 million for Pennsylvania schools to initiate student mental health programming and physical security enhancements to support the long-term success of the commonwealth’s students. | governor.pa.gov
Governor Tom Wolf announced on Aug. 3 that there is $190 million for Pennsylvania schools to initiate student mental health programming and physical security enhancements to support the long-term success of the commonwealth’s students. | governor.pa.gov
Governor Tom Wolf announced on Aug. 3 that there is $190 million for Pennsylvania schools to initiate student mental health programming and physical security enhancements to support the long-term success of the commonwealth’s students.
“Over the course of my administration, I have worked hard to ensure that Pennsylvania’s schools are adequately funded to provide a quality education for students of all social statuses and put them on a positive path from an early age,” Wolf said. “However, it’s become clear that to truly ensure student success we must look at a larger picture."
According to a press release, the governor secured $95 million for school mental health grants for behavioral health programs in his final budget. This is part of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Mental Health and Safety and Security Program. The grants can go toward mental health early intervention, self-care and suicide awareness, restorative justice, bullying and bullying prevention, counseling services, staff training, trauma-informed education and more. There is also another $95 million for physical school safety and security grants for improvements for the 2022-2023 school year.
The governor said that children have endured the pandemic and social unrest with some facing poverty or family tragedies that lead to mental health issues. He said students need the government to invest in programming to support mental clarity and social-emotional skills, and to help deter feelings of anxiety and depression.
“It is my hope that these programs increase access to care and provide daily support to grow strong youth with futures unbarred by inaccessible healthcare,” he said.
The school entities eligible for the grants include school districts, career and technical schools, intermediate units, charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber charter schools. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 31.
Since 2015, Gov. Wolf’s administration has increased funding by more than $3.7 billion, and recently he made a historic $1.8 billion investment increase.
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