Beckley, WV (WOAY) – The Raleigh County School District has received $500,000 in federal funds to address student mental health needs in six local schools.
The funds are sourced from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act as part of the Mountain State’s Stronger Connections grant program.
Officials used data to select schools that needed the most assistance, such as attendance, behavior referrals, school records, and discussions with the administration.
Faculty will work with Marshall University’s Behavior and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center to conduct comprehensive assessments to identify the root causes of ongoing issues and provide additional training.
The schools receiving the funding are Cranberry Prosperity Elementary, Beckley Elementary, Stratton Elementary, Beckley Stratton Middle, Woodrow Wilson High, and St. Francis.
Raleigh County received the maximum amount for the next three school years, starting with the 2023 2024 school year.
By the end of the three years, the ultimate goal is for schools to see less than 10 percent of students chronically absent and 50 percent fewer students referred to alternative placement or placed outside their regular classroom.
