PRESS RELEASE

The U.S Department of Education School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program
awarded $4,043,639 to Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative (SWAEC) located in Hope.
SWAEC will use this funding through 2027 to support its member districts located in
Hempstead, Miller, Nevada and Lafayette counties.

The purpose of this grant is to increase the number of credentialed mental health services
providers providing school-based mental health services to students in Local Education Agencies with demonstrated
need.

The primary objectives of the grant include:

● Recruitment of school-based licensed mental health providers
● Retention of mental health providers through professional development, scholarships
and other retention activities
● Mental health service delivery

Proposed outcomes of the grant through 2027 include hiring and retaining a staff of eight
professionals with backgrounds in social work, counseling and behavior. This team will
implement trauma-informed care and administer assessments while ensuring that all schools in
SWAEC will have access to therapists, case managers and social workers.

To deliver immediate support, SWAEC will use E-therapy and online tools, including the
HELPme app while the team is being recruited and trained. This will allow services to connect
children in crisis with resources without delay.

Director of SWAEC Phoebe Bailey said “We are thrilled to be able to offer this service to our
districts. I feel that this is a model for improving mental health support in our corner of the state.
I see our short term goal to be reducing outburst and violent events on campus with the long
term vision of improving mental health for children and having a positive impact on school
climate.”

Southwest AR Education Cooperative was among 102 applicants across the country that were
awarded funds as a part of this grant program.