washington dc – UT Austin will receive more than $600,000 in federal grants to provide additional mental health resources.
The $612,378 grant will support partnerships with local schools and higher education institutions that train counselors, social workers, psychologists and other mental health professionals to provide school-based services, said John Cornyn. The senator’s office said.
The funding is from the US Department of Education’s Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration Program. The program was recently approved by Cornyn’s Safe Communities Act, which was signed into law after the Uvalde shooting that killed 19 children and her two teachers.
“You don’t have to worry about student safety when you drop students off at school, and you don’t have to worry about them when they enter the classroom,” said Senator Cornyn. “Following the Uvalde tragedy, this funding will provide meaningful solutions to prevent violence, provide training for school staff and students, and recruit new mental health professionals in Texas schools. Thank you for starting.”
According to Cornyn’s office, the legislation addresses specific concerns that have led to recent mass shootings, including the need for additional mental health services and school safety resources.
