NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey Department of Education announced Tuesday that the state has been awarded a federal Mental Health Service Professional Grant aimed at expanding access to mental health services in schools and strengthening the pipeline of school psychologists.
The grant will provide the state with $1.25 million annually over the next four years, totaling $5 million through 2029, officials said.
Funding from the grant will support efforts to increase mental health resources in schools by lowering student-to-school psychologist ratios, recruiting and retaining qualified providers, and building a sustainable workforce to meet long-term needs. The initiative will also help schools in rural and high-need areas deliver evidence-based interventions and provide early support for students.
“We know that students learn best when they feel safe and supported,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “The mental health of our students is just as important as their academic success. This grant allows us to strengthen the pipeline of school psychologists and expand access to the support that children need to thrive. By deepening partnerships between our schools and higher education institutions, we are making a long-term investment in student well-being and building a stronger, more resilient education system for the future.”
Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said the funding builds on the state’s ongoing focus on student mental health.
“We have been consistent in our intense focus on mental health because we know how critical it is for student success,” Dehmer said. “This grant allows us to take real steps toward lowering student-to-psychologist ratios and providing timely, evidence-based support. Our partnerships with higher education will help us grow the next generation of school-based mental health professionals and deliver resources where they are needed most.”
To address continuing student mental health challenges and staffing shortages, the NJDOE will partner with colleges and universities to recruit, train and place graduate-level school psychology candidates in high-need districts, including rural communities.
The program will fund paid internships, reimburse supervisors for mentorship, and provide tuition assistance for advanced study, contingent on a service commitment of at least two years in participating districts after graduation. State officials said the goal is to increase the number of credentialed school psychologists statewide by creating supported pathways into long-term employment.
