Iowa pre-K-12 school mental health, community colleges get boost

(Des Moines, IA) -- More than $11 (m) million in federal funding will support grants for Iowa schools and community colleges. The funds will support grants for pre-K-12 mental health services. Grants will also support community college efforts to help Iowans earn credentials for in-demand careers. The money is part of federal coronavirus relief funding.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education are announcing up to $8.67 million in competitive grants for pre-K-12  mental health services, wraparound support to students, youth mental health first aid training and suicide prevention services and programming.

While the true cost of this pandemic is yet unknown, we’re already aware of the devastating mental health effects on our young people,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Expanding mental health services in our schools is critical to their overall recovery. When we care for the whole child, we secure better outcomes for them and their families.”   

The funding also includes up to $2.89 million in competitive grants for Iowa’s community colleges to supplement the state’s GAP Tuition Assistance Program, which will help more Iowans whose jobs were impacted by the pandemic to enroll in short-term training and credential programs leading to high-demand jobs in fields like advanced manufacturing, commercial truck driving, information technology, health care and welding. 

“Iowa was not immune to the economic cost of the COVID 19 pandemic and it’s vital to our continued recovery that we offer opportunities for Iowans to retrain and gain the skills needed for rewarding, high-demand careers that promote job growth and fuel our state’s economy,” Gov. Reynolds continued.   

These additional resources will help schools expand services to address growing social-emotional-behavioral health needs and support the overall well-being of students affected by the pandemic,” said Ann Lebo, director of the Iowa Department of Education. “In addition, increasing financial assistance through the GAP Tuition Assistance Program will help more Iowans gain the skills needed for good-paying, high-demand jobs in Iowa, both today and in the future.”  

Last fall, Iowa received $26.2 million through the first round of GEER funding within the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Gov. Reynolds designated to expand broadband access and increase internet connectivity for students for the 2020-21 school year. 


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