U.S. Department of Education Awards Nearly $15 Million in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Grants

The U.S. Department of Education awarded nearly $15 million to 42 local educational agencies in 20 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 local educational agencies 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.

In addition, grantees 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 42 new awards for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program. A list of the grantees also can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/elseccounseling/fy2010awards.html.

FY 2010 New Grant Awards