The U.S. Department of Education awarded more than $24.8 million to 67 school districts in 26 states across the country to establish or expand counseling programs.
RSU 84/East Grand School, in conjunction with the Maine Family Resource Center, was awarded $1 million to provide area schools with additional guidance counselors and social workers. Of 70 new grantees, they were the only one to receive funding in Maine.
East Grand, Hodgdon, Southern Aroostook and Katahdin schools will use these funds to support counseling programs in elementary schools over the next three years. Specifically, the new Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Grant awards will aid these schools in hiring qualified mental-health professionals with the goal of expanding the range, availability, quantity and quality of counseling services.
“School counselors are a vital resource for students and educators, and play a key role in creating safe and productive learning environments,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “These grants will enhance school-based counseling programs, which have proven to be a great source of help for students and families with mental health and emotional issues.”
Research shows that having adequate counseling services can help reduce the number of disciplinary referrals in schools, improve student attendance and academic performance and enhance development of social skills. Funds also may be used to support parental involvement, counselor and teacher professional development, and collaboration with community-based organizations that provide mental health and other services to students.
