School-Based Mental Health Services Grant

About the Grant

The Colorado Department of Education receives a $1.6 million annual grant from the U.S. Department of Education (2025–2029) to expand mental health services for students statewide.

This grant strengthens the school-based mental health workforce by:

Retaining licensed school-based mental health (SBMH) professionals.
Helping clinical social workers obtain school licensure.
Enhancing recruitment efforts to fill shortages.
Supporting SBMH professionals who supervise graduate interns.

Grant Initiatives

The grant focuses on the recruitment, re-specialization, and retention of school psychologists, school counselors, and school social workers through these key initiatives:

Move-In Stipend: Provides financial support to encourage professionals relocating to Colorado to work in school-based mental health roles.
Targeted National Recruitment: Focuses on attracting highly qualified school-based mental health professionals from across the country to meet Colorado’s growing needs.
Recruitment of Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs): Encourages clinical social workers to transition into school-based roles, addressing a critical shortage area.
Clinical to School Course Grant: Offers funding for coursework that supports the transition from clinical practice to school-based roles, helping professionals meet licensure requirements and complete the school social work coursework.
Expedited Re-Specialization Licenses: Streamlines the licensure process for clinical professionals re-specializing to work in schools, reducing barriers to entry.
Stipends for SBMH Graduate Supervisors: Provides financial incentives for school-based mental health professionals who supervise graduate students, fostering a pipeline of future professionals.
Culturally Responsive Training for SBMH Supervisors: Offers training to ensure supervisors are prepared to support diverse candidates equitably and inclusively.

Grant Fund Distribution

Funds go directly to school-based mental health professionals.
Schools and districts do not apply for funding.
No funding for full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing positions.
Eligibility rubrics will be published once available.

Contact Us

Email: SBMHS@cde.state.co.us