U.S. Department of Education Awards $15.2 Million in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Grants

The U.S. Department of Education awarded $15.2 million to 43 schools districts in 19 states across the country to establish or expand counseling programs. Grantees will use funds to support counseling programs in target elementary or secondary schools. Specifically, the new awards will aid schools in hiring qualified mental-health professionals with the goal of expanding the range, availability, quantity and quality of counseling services. Parents of participating students will have input in the design and implementation of counseling services supported by these grants.

"School counselors benefit both students and teachers by helping to create a safe school environment, improve teacher effectiveness, increase academic achievement and promote student well-being," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "We believe that school-based counseling programs offer great promise for improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of students with mental-health issues."

Grantees also will use funds to help increase the number of available and qualified counselors based on a school's student population. Research shows that having adequate counseling services can help reduce the number of disciplinary referrals in schools, improve student attendance and academic performance and enhance development of social skills. Funds also may be used to support parental involvement, counselor and teacher professional development, and collaboration with community-based organizations that provide mental health and other services to students.

Below is a list of the 43 new awards for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program. For more information about the program, log onto http://www2.ed.gov/programs/elseccounseling/index.html.

FY 2011 New Grant Awards