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Nashville, TN - Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the state received a $4,655,699 Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) grant to boost mental and behavioral support for students in three Tennessee school districts- Bledsoe County Schools, Haywood County Schools, and Scott County Schools - in partnership with the Tennessee Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this grant funding will provide training for school personnel to detect and respond to mental health needs and provide students and their families with additional services and supports. The training will also be available to other adults within the community who interact with school-aged children.
“All Tennessee students deserve to experience rich classroom learning experiences, and schools and districts have an important role to play by ensuring their students have the supports they need to focus on and absorb every drop of learning they possibly can,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Districts that have participated in previous years of this grant have shared their success, and we are thrilled to continue helping educators across the state best support their students and communities.”
SAMSHA’s Project AWARE aims to build state and local collaborative infrastructure to plan and implement mental health partnerships between schools and communities with the goal of increasing mental health awareness while promoting positive school climates through the implementation of school policies, evidence-based programs, and mental health interventions.
The funds will cover the cost of programming for a three-year period, and additional funds from SAMHSA will extend the grant until 2026. Read more about Project AWARE here.
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Kelly Keisling serves as State Representative for House District 38 which encompasses Macon, Clay, Pickett, Scott, and part of Fentress Counties.
To reach State Representative Kelly Keisling, call 615-741-6853 or email him at rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov.Connect with Kelly on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.