North Carolina public schools will receive an $11 million federal boost to enhance school-based mental health services, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The funding aims to strengthen mental health support within the state’s education system.
The $11 million in federal funding is divided between two initiatives: $4.8 million for the NC School Psychology Internship Program (NC SPIn) and $6.4 million for the NC School Psychologists Supporting our Students (SoS) project. NC SPIn aims to expand access to school psychologists, particularly in high-need rural areas, providing stipends for interns’ salaries and housing. State Superintendent Maurice Green noted that the funding will help the state better serve students and strengthen the school psychology workforce, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The SoS project also provides retention stipends to support current school psychologists and offers incentives for rural educators to enter the field. The initiative aims to strengthen and maintain a locally based school mental health workforce.
North Carolina’s $11 million share is part of a $208 million nationwide investment through programs like the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Program and the School-Based Mental Health Services Program. The funding underscores the state’s commitment to addressing student mental health needs and supporting the development of a strong school psychology workforce. State Superintendent Maurice Green emphasized that the funds will help better serve students while strengthening this critical talent pipeline.
