Downers Grove school districts plan to make ‘immediate impact’ with enhanced mental health services
Community High School District 99 in Downers Grove and Downers Grove Grade School District 58 are among a few dozen institutions across the state set to receive grant funds to bolster their mental health resources.
Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health are allocating $9.5 million in funding to 40 organizations, including schools, hospitals, health departments and colleges, to enhance post-pandemic child and adolescent health.
The funding primarily is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Supplemental Funding program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act, plus $500,000 in state money, according to a news release.
District 99 received a $249,000 grant, and District 58 received $332,593.
“We were utterly astounded,” said Jessica Stewart, District 58’s assistant superintendent of student services.
District 58 plans to use the funding to provide mental health awareness, support and education programs within the schools, as well as partner with District 99 and resources in the community to increase mental health outreach.
“We know that some children continue to show effects from the pandemic, and we’re thrilled that we have these resources that will help us make services and resources available to those who need them,” District 58 Superintendent Kevin Russell said.
Additional plans are to provide evidence-based resources to augment classroom instruction at the primary grade level, buy evidence-based interventions for mental health professionals in the district, provide professional development to key staff and coordinate support for students with community resources.
“Our hope is really to have an immediate impact,” Stewart said. “That’s what we’re going for.”
In District 99, the $249,000 grant will help expand the district’s approach to advancing health equity, student wellness and mental health support.
The district, with the support of the Regional Offices of Education, will use the funding to launch District 99 CARES (Community Advocacy, Resilience, Engagement and Supports). The program will be a multifaceted approach to eliminate barriers to mental health care by providing mental health services to students and families at no cost.
“In addition to creating equitable access to mental health resources, this new program will ease the stigma that often comes with seeking help,” said Scott Wuggazer, assistant superintendent for special services. “We’ll be able to better serve at-risk students by connecting them to after-school and weekend counseling sessions.”
The CARES Community Clinics will be staffed by Illinois-licensed mental health professionals. The clinics will offer mental health treatment sessions after school hours, including evenings and weekends, and be staffed by licensed clinicians, providing no-cost 50-minute sessions.
The service will be private, and student’s personal information will not be shared with District 99 or its schools.
To eliminate barriers to care, students will have the option to participate in telehealth sessions or in-person visits at participating clinicians’ offices.
District 99 Superintendent Hank Thiele said supporting the mental health of its students is more important now than ever.
“Given the negative and continuing impact of the pandemic, this funding recognizes the need and supports the action we need to take,” Thiele said.