MADISON — As students continue facing growing mental health challenges, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced it has allocated nearly $12 million in federal funding to local education agencies across the state to help meet their unique individual needs.

The Stronger Connections competitive grant is part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden in June 2022. In addition to helping school districts establish safe, inclusive, healthy, and supportive learning opportunities and environments for students, grant funding will provide the opportunity for school districts to implement comprehensive, evidence-based strategies and increase access to place-based interventions and services.

“I am grateful for this funding from our federal partners, and Wisconsin should now step up to the plate and do more to meet the very real needs of our kids,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “Our state currently has the means to make a tremendous difference in the mental health of our kids, and I will continue fighting for our schools to be equipped with staff and the resources to do so. It is critical we come together to support our kids as they endure mounting mental health challenges.”

The DPI engaged with external reviewers across the state with expertise in comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that meet students’ social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being needs to review applications and determine grant allocation amounts.

A complete list of the 40 grantees, along with more information, can be found on the DPI’s Stronger Connections webpage of its website.