State to provide $20 million in mental health support for students

Gov. Tony Evers announced the “Get Kids Ahead” initiative which will provide $15 million to support school-based mental health services in K–12 schools across the state and a $5 million investment for the University of Wisconsin System to help students access mental health support remotely and on campus. Every public school district can opt in to receive these funds and will receive a minimum of $10,000, with the rest being allocated on a per-pupil basis. Schools will be able to use the funds to provide direct mental health care, hire and support mental health navigators, provide mental health first aid and trauma-based care training, or provide family assistance programs.