Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems: An Overview of the State Grants from the U.S. Department of Education Program

There are relatively few major federal programs focused directly on advancing a systemic approach to mental health in schools. One such program is the U.S. Department of Education's grant program entitled: "Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems." Established in 2005, the program has funded 51 projects and is in the process of funding its fourth cohort. Since the program's inception, our Center has taken steps to inform the field about this initiative and to advance the work. Now that the first projects have completed their period of funding, it is time to reflect on their contribution to advancing the field. To this end, this is the initial report in a series the Center will be preparing. The first reports will summarize what has been accomplished and learned to date; these will be followed by analyses of commonalities, unique facets, barriers to progress, and lessons learned; the final report in the series will explore implications for future policy and practice. This first report focuses on summarizing the work of the eight state level projects funded as part of the first three cohorts. Appended are: (1) Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA Meeting with Nine Teams from the First Cohort; (2) Washington County (OR) Partnership for Student Success; and (3) Berkeley CA Integrated Resources Initiative. (Contains 10 exhibits.)