ESD 105 receives nearly $4 million in grants for student mental health

YAKIMA — Educational Service District 105 officials announced on Sept. 29 that they will receive federal grant funds totaling almost $4 million to support student mental health. The ESD covers 25 school districts including Wahluke and Royal.

"We are beyond excited to be one of the few recipients of this grant,” ESD 105 Student Supports Program Director Emily Nelson said in the release. “This essential funding will be used to fill a much needed gap in mental healthcare services that face students and their families across our region.”

ESD 105 was selected as one of seven agencies from across the United States to receive Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Trauma Informed Services in Schools grant funds to provide increased mental healthcare services for students, the release said, with an award of $969,248 annually, maxing out at nearly $4 million over the course of four years.

The release said that ESD 105 has seen an uptick in mental health concerns amongst the students and families since the onset of the pandemic. It goes on to say that ESD officials recognize a disproportionality in the ability to access much needed mental healthcare services for their students of color and those who come from families who identify as low income.

“It is our hope that we will be able to ensure that all students have access to mental healthcare when they need it, without the long waits, through both in-person and tele-health visits,” the release said.