This funding is part of the larger Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which commits over $1 billion to school-based mental health programs over the next five years. The initiative aims to address the acute shortage of mental health professionals in educational settings and improve the wellbeing of students nationwide.
The Biden-Harris administration has allocated $2.6 million to mental health services and professionals in educational settings. The funding is part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in June 2022.
Spearheading mental health advocacy
The University of Wisconsin System’s Board of Regents will spearhead the establishment of the Mental Health Evaluation, Training, Research, and Innovation Center for Schools, also known as METRICS. This national center aims to be a linchpin in offering comprehensive resources for training mental health professionals and implementing school-based mental health initiatives.
The BSCA has earmarked over $1 billion to be invested in school-based mental health programs in the next five years. This aligns closely with Biden’s broader mental health strategy, which envisions doubling the number of mental health professionals like counselors and social workers available to students.
The initiative is a response to a conspicuous shortage of mental health professionals, identified as a leading factor why students are often unable to access essential mental health services. METRICS is expected to fortify the workforce by aiding schools in training high-quality professionals while making mental health services more accessible, particularly in high-need educational institutions.
US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said: “The youth mental health crisis continues to be a primary concern nationwide. Thanks to this unprecedented investment, we can address the holistic well-being of students and aid academic recovery.”
The game plan
The METRICS Center will serve as a support mechanism for the US Department of Education’s School-Based Mental Health and Mental Health Services Professionals programs. Additionally, it will disseminate resources to educational entities across the country, focusing on the mental health needs of students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.
Developed in partnership with the University of South Florida, the University of Iowa, and the University of California, Santa Barbara, METRICS will extend its resources and information to various stakeholders, including state and local educational agencies and institutions of higher education.
