Can federal dollars fix the pipeline for school mental health providers?

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A newsletter from The Hechinger Report

By Liz Willen

06/27/2023

Dear reader,

The Hechinger Report has a long history of reporting on the guidance gap in the U.S, particularly as it relates to college advice and admissions. But in our post-pandemic mental health crisis, there’s also a lack of ([link removed]) licensed psychologists who can help meet the ever-changing needs of students and staff, according to our reporting from the rural Finger Lakes region in upstate New York.

New federal money has sparked an unprecedented effort to recruit and retain more school mental health providers, with districts offering stipends to grad student interns and providing mentors to new hires. The efforts, however, may not be enough, particularly in rural districts, where the pay isn’t high enough and the number of students graduating from programs in psychology, counseling and social work isn’t keeping pace with districts’ growing demand for mental health services.

Lately, we are hearing more and more about the need to address mental health issues early on ([link removed]) , and look forward to hearing from our readers. We also would love to hear your thoughts on ways new federal work rules ([link removed]) are making it more difficult for low-income students to get to and through college. And it’s not too late to send us your thoughts on math education: We are still compiling responses to our three-question survey ([link removed]) .

Finally, if you have time tomorrow, June 28 at 2 p.m. ET, tune in to our live LinkedIn conversation ([link removed]) on how teachers are navigating an influx of right-wing education policies in Sarasota County, Florida.

Liz Willen, Editor

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** Main Idea
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The school psychologist pipeline is broken. Can new federal money fix it? ([link removed])

Low pay and limited training pushes mental health professionals away from working with young people. But amid fears of a youth mental health crisis, the U.S. government is pumping new money into programs designed to help
 
 


** Reading List
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Work rules for benefits programs deter low-income Americans from going to college ([link removed])

A million students may be at risk of losing food stamp benefits as restrictions resume

OPINION: In our ongoing mental health crisis, students and their parents are struggling and need our help ([link removed])

We must make resources easily available, affordable and confidential for all — and we are going to have to talk about this

‘She just wants a friend’: Families push for full school days for children with disabilities ([link removed])

Instead of hiring specialists, training teachers or offering other services, some schools shorten students’ schedules as a way to manage difficult behavior

PROOF POINTS: The best way to teach might depend on the subject ([link removed])

Researchers find that math students learn best through individual practice while English students thrive in groups

OPINION: With a skeptical public, higher education must do a better job explaining why college is worth the investment ([link removed])

A dean has some ideas for reversing the crisis of confidence

OPINION: Boston Public Schools are exposing students to career options as early as middle school, and it’s paying off ([link removed])

Here’s why other districts can — and should — learn from our experiences
 

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