School behavioral-health grants reach 57 counties; evaluation and sustainability planning underway

The Budget and Fiscal Advisory Committee reviewed the Behavioral Health Student Services Act (BHSSA) grant program, which funds school and county partnerships to expand behavioral health services for K–12 students.

Norma Pate and Melissa (deputy director, program) described the program’s scope and progress. Committee materials and staff noted the program’s fiscal structure: approximately $280,000,000 in local assistance awarded to counties and school partnerships, $25,000,000 allocated for program administration and $16,600,000 for evaluation. The grant program has expanded to 57 of 58 counties, covering about 45% of public school districts and 25% of public schools based on recent reporting.

Melissa summarized grantee-reported outcomes and the program’s tiered model. Grantees collectively reported hiring approximately 480 staff members to provide direct services, training and administrative support. Using a multi-tiered system of supports, grantees reported serving about 242,000 students with tier 1 (universal) services and about 12,000 students with tier 2 or tier 3 targeted interventions; staff noted these figures are being updated as more grantees submit data.

Program funding was awarded in multiple phases: Phase 1 (18 partnership grants in 2020) totaled $74,800,000; Phase 2 (19 grants in 2021) totaled $77,500,000; Phase 3 (20 grants in 2022) totaled $54,900,000; an expansion added $47,600,000 to increase capacity and services; and a later allocation of $25,000,000 supported targeted activities (vulnerable youth, universal screening, quality improvement, peer respite and other locally-identified priorities). Staff said Phase 4 awards expanded services, supported screening and sustainability efforts, and funded locally requested priorities identified during listening sessions.

Melissa emphasized that the program’s success depends on a full pyramid approach: universal supports and screening to catch students early, targeted group interventions, and intensive services for the smaller number of students with high needs. “You can’t really — without schools having multi-tiered systems and supports — you can’t really focus only on tier 3,” Melissa said, explaining the need to invest across the tiers.

WestEd, the program’s external evaluator, has launched Phase 2 of the BHSSA evaluation; staff said they will bring periodic evaluation updates to the committee and to the program advisory committee. Staff also said they will present plans for remaining one-time administrative and evaluation funds at the October commission meeting and that planning for the next BHSSA allocation under BHSA (the $7.6 million referenced for future years) will begin with commission discussion in the upcoming cycle.

Commissioners and public commenters praised progress but urged continued integration between county health systems and school systems and attention to rural counties’ capacity constraints. Public commenters and commissioners also raised the issue of federal funding risk for school-based services and asked the commission to track and weigh in on potential federal funding changes affecting the program.

Staff said the program remains a high priority and that they will return with evaluation data, a plan for remaining one-time funds, and engagement plans with other state agencies toward sustained school mental-health supports.