Athletics director proposes two-year Mind of the Athlete program paid by grant to provide mental-health supports for teams, coaches and families

The Eastern Area School District athletic office presented a two-year mental-health program for student athletes and coaches with Mind of the Athlete, describing monthly large-group presentations and follow-up team and leadership sessions.

Athletics staff said the contract would provide in-school student presentations by a sports-mental-health clinician, coach professional-development sessions and evening parent/community sessions on the same topic each month. "Each month there would be a large presentation from Dr. Spencer to our student athletes during the school day, followed by a presentation to our coaches ... and then a presentation to our parents and community, in the evening on that day," the athletics presenter said.

Scope, cost and funding: the presenters said the two-year contract totals $45,000 per year and that the district secured grant funding (the Ready to Learn Block Grant) to cover the contract cost; the administration said the program would therefore be provided at no net cost to the district. The program also includes availability for targeted work with teams and student leaders by a second clinician.

Rationale and local context: the athletics director said coaches and families had raised mental-health concerns for athletes and that the district sought a model with repeated engagement rather than a one-off assembly. He said the program could position the district as a regional leader in student-athlete mental-health supports.

Next steps: the administration will place the contract on the Jan. 28 agenda for approval. Staff said they expect to begin the program in February and continue monthly through the two-year agreement once approved and grant funds are confirmed.