Sewell announces $3.1 million to expand school-based mental health services in the Birmingham City Schools

October 17, 2024 - Birmingham – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D- Selma) announced that Birmingham City Schools have been awarded $3.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education to expand student access to school-based mental health services. The grant is a part of the Biden-Harris agenda. The unprecedented expansion of federal involvement in the schools is intended to address youth mental health provided under the Biden-Harris Administration through the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA).

"Our K-12 schools are on the front lines of America's mental health crisis, which is why it is so critical that we invest in bringing mental health services directly to our students," said Rep. Sewell. "Thankfully, the Biden-Harris Administration is tackling this crisis head-on by overseeing the largest-ever expansion of mental health programs in our nation's K-12 schools. This $3.1 million grant will be a game-changer for our Birmingham community, allowing more students to receive the mental health support they need and deserve."

The grant funding will be used to boost pre-service preparation for prospective mental health professionals to serve in schools, alleviate cost barriers for attendance, expand professional development opportunities, recruit and train mental health professionals from diverse backgrounds, and provide stipends for interns gaining clinical experience in high-need schools.

"In Birmingham City Schools, we focus on equipping all scholars for success," said Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan. "In our current post-COVID environment, this means we must meet the needs of the total child. This School-Based Mental Health Grant will help us provide much needed services and support for all our students."

Since day one of the Biden-Harris Administration, Rep. Sewell has partnered with the President and Vice President to improve the capacity of America's education system to provide mental health services in schools. Today's announcement was made possible by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which passed and was signed into law in 2022 with Rep. Sewell's support. It is part of a $70 million nationwide investment ostensibly to strengthen the pipeline of school-based mental health professionals. It advances the goal set out by President Biden and Vice President Harris to double the number of school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other school-based mental health professionals across America.

Sewell has represented Alabama's Seventh Congressional District since 2010.

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