School-Based Mental Health Services Grant

About the Grant

The Colorado Department of Education received a $1.5 million annual grant from the U.S. Department of Education (2025) to expand mental health services for students statewide.

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

• Recruiting school mental health professionals to Colorado
• Retaining licensed school-based mental health (SBMH) professionals.
• Respecializing clinical social workers to the school social work profession.

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:

• Relocation Reimbursement: 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.
• School Social Work Course Tuition Reimbursement: Offers funding for coursework that supports the transition from clinical practice to school-based roles, helping professionals meet licensure requirements and be successful in the role of school social worker.
• 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.
• Retention Bonuses: Allows participating districts and BOCES the opportunity to incentivize school-based mental health professionals in remaining in the field.

Grant Fund Distribution

• Eligible Local Education Programs(LEPs) apply for funding and determine who in their district is eligible and will receive the approved funds
• Funds are distributed to school-based mental health professionals through the LEP
• No funding for full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing positions.

Contact Us

Karen Jensen, Jensen_K@cde.state.co.us
303-726-8376
General Inbox: SBMHS@cde.state.co.us