In the second episode of our Stepping Stones to Mental Wellness series, “Mental Health Matters – School Funding Edition 2,” we continue the critical conversation around how schools can build and sustain impactful mental health programs—even as emergency COVID-19 funding sunsets.
🎧 Listen now → Mental Health Matters – School Funding Edition 2
💡 Featured Highlights
1. Think Beyond Traditional Funding
The episode opens with a strong case for expanding our thinking around where funding can come from. Rather than relying solely on district budgets or temporary federal aid, schools are encouraged to explore:
- State and Federal Education Grants
- Medicaid Reimbursement (where eligible)
- Collaborative funding through local community partnerships
2. Sustainability Starts with Strategy
Planning is as critical as funding. Our experts underscore that long-term success depends on:
- Conducting regular needs assessments to align services with evolving student demographics and mental health trends.
- Evaluating programs using both qualitative and quantitative measures to demonstrate impact.
- Training school staff—from administrators to paraprofessionals—to embed mental wellness into everyday operations.
3. Engage External Allies
Foundations, mental health organizations, and even corporate philanthropy can be powerful allies. When aligned with your school’s mission, these partnerships not only bring in funding, but also increase access to high-quality personnel, training, and tools.
✅ Why It Matters
As educators and mental health professionals, our role is not only to respond to immediate needs but also to create a framework for enduring, accessible support. This episode offers a roadmap for doing exactly that.
Catch the full episode here: Mental Health Matters – School Funding Edition 2
From the Desk of Melissa Royalty, Market President-Mental Health Division
As featured on "Mental Health Matters- School Funding Edition 2" podcast
