Brief Series: Funding Strategies to Build Sustainable School Mental Health Programs

This series of briefs on school mental health provides system of care communities with information on developing sustainable school mental health programs. The series focuses on strategies to consider in working with community mental health agencies, both public and private, and provides options for consideration in building school mental health programs that serve children and youth with serious mental health needs.

Series 1: Why School Mental Health? What Is the Connection to Systems of Care? (PDF)

School mental health programs can address mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders so that students are physically and emotionally ready to learn and students and their families are able to cope with the stress of daily living. This brief discusses how to support school mental health programs through system of care principles and initiatives.

Series 2: What Are the Challenges to School and Mental Health Agency Partnerships? (PDF)

Schools and mental health agencies can join resources to meet the mental health needs of children and youth, but this may present some challenges. This brief examines typical differences among schools and agencies—such as terminology, confidentiality rules, professional culture, diagnostic process, and eligibility—in an effort to promote shared vision and mission.

Series 3: How Do System of Care Leaders Work with Community Agencies/Organizations to Overcome Challenges to Develop a Sustainable School Mental Health Program? (PDF)

To build sustainable school mental health programs, child and youth service systems need to collaborate with local schools and mental health agencies to build a continuum of services. This brief provides insight into how these systems can navigate local and state systems to gain financial support to build, maintain, and sustain successful school mental health programs.

Series 4: What Are Some Strategies to Sustain School Mental Health Programs? (PDF)

In response to diminished state and local funding, communities are faced with increased challenges in sustaining school mental health programs. This brief shares strategies that have evolved and been used to successfully sustain school mental health programs.

The Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health was funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.