The five-year grant comes from the U.S. Department of Education. CSUMB’s colleges of Education and Health Sciences and Human Services will work with Monterey County Behavioral Health and AIM Youth Mental Health to implement the grant, said Cathi Draper Rodriguez, chair of the Department of Education and Leadership. 

“What we’re going to be able to do is increase our capacity to train K-12 school-based mental health professionals,” Draper Rodriguez said. “In addition, we’re going to work with our local districts to provide additional training for teachers, educators, and community members in the mental health area.”

Draper Rodriguez said the grant will fund annual scholarships of $21,000 for 10 school psychologists and 10 school social workers. The hope is to increase the current cohorts in CSUMB’s two programs by 50%. 

In addition, she said, the program will provide training for K-12 teachers in recognizing and interacting with students with mental health issues. The bottom line, she said, is reaching students in need, particularly those living in traditionally underserved communities. 

“It could make a world of difference,” Draper Rodriguez said of the additional support. “With youth suicide on the rise, it could be life or death. When students are struggling with mental health issues, and the adults around them don't recognize that, it can be really problematic for the students. Supporting the mental health of students from an earlier age provides an opportunity to create positive, lasting impacts.”

She’s hoping the grant will help students and draw more attention to the program at CSUMB, allowing it to grow even more in the future. 

“I think it positions us well in training school-based mental health professionals,” she said. “I really think it puts us at the forefront of training school psychologists and school social workers to go into the field with the extra knowledge they need to help students.”

For information on the school psychology program, contact the Department of Education and Leadership at teachmb@csumb.edu or 831-582-3639. For information on the school social worker program, contact the Department of Social Work at msw@csumb.edu or 831-582-5316.