#United States #mental health #Healthy Campus #Farmersville USD #Farmersville

Farmersville Unified School District Receives $5.8 Million Grant

In a major boost for student mental health services, the Farmersville Unified School District (FUSD) has been awarded a substantial federal grant of over $5.8 million. This funding, sourced through the U.S. Department of Education's School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program, comes with the support of Healthy Campus, a leader in school-based healthcare solutions aimed at delivering barrier-free health services.

With the recent reduction of essential services due to sharp funding cuts, Farmersville USD faced the daunting task of maintaining mental health services for its students without an internal grant team. To overcome this hurdle, the district collaborated with Healthy Campus, which took on the responsibility of identifying funding opportunities. They provided extensive guidance and support throughout the application process, enabling the district to secure almost $6 million without the burden of additional administrative costs.

The grant will be utilized over the next four years to enhance access to mental health services for the approximately 2,500 students attending schools in this under-resourced area of Tulare County. Here, access to mental health professionals is limited, and the need for such services is critical. The new funding arrives at a time when the district is grappling with significant financial challenges.

Chris Juarez, the Mental Health Coordinator at FUSD, emphasized the transformative potential of the grant, stating, “This grant changes what's possible for our students. As a small, rural district, we simply didn't have the capacity to pursue a federal grant of this scale on our own. Healthy Campus made it possible, and this funding will allow us to provide meaningful mental health support that directly impacts students' learning and well-being.”

The School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program aims to increase the number of credentialed school psychologists and mental health providers in high-need areas. Currently, FUSD has one school psychologist for every 960 students, but with the new funding, they plan to improve this ratio significantly. By the end of the grant term, they aim for one psychologist per 400 students, surpassing national recommendations and facilitating earlier interventions, better care continuity, and ultimately, improved outcomes for students.

Funding will allow the hiring of 4.5 full-time psychologists, a lead psychologist, an ABA therapist, and a program manager. Additionally, the district will support two graduate student interns, helping to expand evidence-based mental health services tailored to the unique social and emotional needs of students.

Thomas Shaffer, President of Healthy Campus, remarked on the significance of the award, stating, “This award shows what's possible when districts have the right support. By removing financial and administrative barriers, we help schools deliver sustainable mental health services that strengthen student well-being and academic success.”

The grant constitutes part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Education to promote mental health services in schools, particularly in rural and underserved communities. By ensuring that students have the necessary access to care, the initiative seeks to foster both academic achievement and overall mental wellness.

About Farmersville Unified School District

Farmersville USD is a K–12 public school district located in the heart of Tulare County, California, dedicated to boosting academic and emotional growth among its 2,500 students, while catering to the needs of local families in this Central Valley region.

About Healthy Campus

Established in 2021 and headquartered in Irvine, California, Healthy Campus is committed to enhancing the accessibility of quality health and mental health services in school settings. By partnering with school districts, they identify funding opportunities and offer strategies to implement comprehensive on-campus health programs, ultimately improving student outcomes and building stronger school communities.