August 19, 2024. As students head back into the classroom, millions of dollars will soon be used to help students with more than just their academics.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will be expanding school-based health services across the state using a new $2.5 million grant. The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) awarded the money to the state as part of a wider effort nationwide to invest $50 million from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
Alamance County Social Studies teacher, Robert Alvis says more resources are greatly needed.
”In my time as a teacher, I’ve seen many students come to me, with issues. Thoughts of suicide, depression, anxiety. And those issues are issues that we just as teachers right now, aren’t equipped to deal with,” he said.
Alvis is going into his 9th year teaching in North Carolina public schools and says that while he and his fellow educators have been trained to handle issues that arise, he’s simply not a professional, and his students need more.
According to the DHHS, in 2022, schools within the state had less than 20% of the recommended number of psychologists and social workers for the student population.
Ultimately, Alvis says grants like this will alleviate a lot of the pressure on school staff and give more kids access to this type of critical care.
“This is a brutal point and an opportunity state government in NC to recognize the need that our public-school students have and to step up and provide those mental health services,” he said.
State officials say that the money will be allocated to various schools and education agencies over the next three years.
Author: Erin Burnett, WXII 12. Originally Posted on July 23, 2024. You can visit the original article and view the accompanying video at wxii.com.
