--- title: "Mental Health Matters: Navigating School Funding for Student Wellness" description: Learn how schools can sustain student mental health support post-ESSER with practical funding insights from Andrea Landy. image: https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-06-24%20164034.jpg --- [![SSG Group Brand](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheSteppingStonesGroup_February2021/images/SSG_logo.png?width=1640&height=421&name=SSG_logo.png "SSG Group Brand")](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Home](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Careers](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/) - [Search Open Jobs](https://jobs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/) - [Quick Apply](https://steppingstones.careercenter.smartsearch.plus/registration/) - [Transforming Support](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/professional-development/) - [Travel & Transform](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/travel/) - [Refer a friend](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/careers/referral-program/) - [Parents](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/parents/) - [Schools](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/schools/) - [Telepractice](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/telepractice/) - [Referrers](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/referrers/) - [About SSG](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/about/) - [Our Services](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/services/) - [Our Story](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/our-story/) - [Meet Our Team](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/our-story/#leadership_team) - [Contact](https://thesteppingstonesgroup.com/contact/) ![](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-06-24%20164034.jpg) # Mental Health Matters: Navigating School Funding for Student Wellness Tue, Jun 24, 2025 School leaders across the country are facing a pivotal moment: how to sustain student mental health programs in the wake of dwindling COVID-era funds.   From the expiration of ESSER funds to the complexity of state-level funding streams, Andrea brought practical insight and encouragement for districts trying to do right by their students.    **The ESSER Funding Cliff: What You Need to Know**  The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds have been a crucial support for schools throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Most districts have already committed or exhausted these resources, which are due to sunset fully by **January 2025**. While multi-year vendor contracts are still providing value in some areas, many schools are pivoting to seek **long-term, sustainable solutions**.    **From Data to Dollars: Aligning Funding with Student Needs**  A key message from Andrea: *Data drives action, but knowing your funding options is step one.*  Before diving into behavioral and screener data, school leaders must first understand what resources are available at the **federal, state, and local levels**. Some states, like **Michigan**, are leading the way by introducing **recurring funding** to replace temporary COVID relief programs.    Michigan, for example, offers:  - **31N**: Direct funding for school mental health providers - **31A**: Focused support for at-risk student populations - **31AA**: Assistance for technical coordination and evaluation - **31G**: Universal-level mental wellness supports   This strategic layering allows schools to maintain and expand the programs they built with ESSER funds.    **Barriers to Access: Complexity, Confusion, and Communication**  One of the most common challenges you may see in your work? Schools simply don’t know what they have access to — or who to ask.    Whether it’s identifying the right person at the district, intermediate school district (ISD), or state level, the system often feels overwhelming. That's why it's important to build trust with partners. At The Stepping Stones Group, our role goes beyond filling staffing gaps — it's about collaborating with schools to create student-centered, sustainable mental health programming.    **Advice for Overwhelmed Districts**  If your district is feeling overwhelmed by the funding landscape, our advice is clear:  - **Ask questions boldly**—from other schools, your ISD, or the state. - **Build relationships** with education consultants and mental health partners. - **Lean on your community**—you’re not in this alone.   And if you’re in a state like Michigan, take full advantage of the **infrastructure already in place**. Reach out to your ISD or state consultants to discover what’s possible. There’s more support available than you might think.    **Closing Thoughts**  As schools continue to navigate the post-COVID world, one thing is certain: student mental health cannot be an afterthought. It requires foresight, funding, and a fierce commitment to sustainability.    Let’s keep the momentum going. Together, we can build systems that support student wellness—now and for the future.  Tags: [alternative school funding sources](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/alternative-school-funding-sources), [school mental health funding](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/school-mental-health-funding), [school-based mental health services](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/school-based-mental-health-services), [Medicaid in schools](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/medicaid-in-schools), [education grants for mental health](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/education-grants-for-mental-health), [student mental health support](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/student-mental-health-support), [community mental health partnerships](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/community-mental-health-partnerships), [podcast school mental health](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/tag/podcast-school-mental-health) [Back to Blog](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com) Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. The content is based on the author's personal experiences, research, and opinions. It is always recommended to consult with a qualified professional or expert before making any decisions or taking action based on the information provided in this blog. ## Related Articles ##### [Mental Health Matters: Securing the Future of School-Based Support](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/mental-health-matters-securing-the-future-of-school-based-support) As schools continue to address growing student mental health needs, one challenge remains... [Read More](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/mental-health-matters-securing-the-future-of-school-based-support) ##### [Spotlight on Mental Health: Alternative Funding for School Supports](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/spotlight-on-mental-health-alternative-funding-for-school-supports) Many schools expanded access to mental health services during and after the pandemic with the help... [Read More](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/spotlight-on-mental-health-alternative-funding-for-school-supports) ##### [Mental Health Matters: Tackling the School Funding Puzzle](https://blogs.thesteppingstonesgroup.com/mental-health-matters-tackling-the-school-funding-puzzle) As schools across the country work to meet the growing mental health needs of students, many face a... 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