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Mental Health Assistance Allocation: Guidance from FDOE

Lynn Norman-Teck
Research & Publications

June 1, 2018 – The Florida Department of Education issued a memorandum and supporting documents to help school leaders and governing board members as they develop a plan for using the mental health allocation that was part of SB 7026.  Per state statute, charter schools – like district-run schools – are required to provide security on campus and make mental health services available to every student.

 

Memorandum and supporting documents links:

Mental Health Assistance Allocation / Senate Bill 7026  (Memo)

District Certification of 2018-19 Mental Health Assistance Allocation Plan:
Mental Health Assistance Allocation Plan CHECKLIST – Due August 1,2018

DRAFT Mental Health Assistance Allocation Plan Outcome and Expenditures Report – Due Sept.30, 2019 – https://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-8285/dps-2018-77c.pdf

If you have questions regarding the above documents, please contact: Mark.Eggers@fldoe.org

 

Funding School Safety initiatives:

A Safe Schools allocation was included in the general fund – making new total allocation of an estimated $161,500,000.  The funds will be distributed to schools through FEFP — increasing school allocation from $22 per student to $51 per student. There is also a mental health assistance allocation to assist schools in establishing or expanding school based mental health care for students.

  • $69,237,286 in 2018-19 school year will be recurring funds received through FEFP
  • Each district receives a minimum of $100,000
  • Charter schools are entitled to a proportionate share of district funding
  • Estimated allocation: $22.11 per student

Districts must develop and submit a detailed plan outlining the local program and planned expenditures by August  1.  Charter schools must develop and submit a detailed plan outlining the local program and planned expenditure.  At least 90% of allocation must be spent on: provision of mental health assessment, diagnosis, intervention, treatment and recovery services, direct or contracted employment of service providers.SB 7026 requires school districts and charter schools to annually develop and submit certain detailed plans regarding the safe schools and mental health assistance allocations.  Your plan must be approved by the charter school’s governing board and submitted to your district authorizer.

Sets aside funds for a one-time grant opportunity for schools to pay for building safety improvements:
Section 44. For the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the sum of $98,962,286 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Education to implement a grant program that will provide awards to schools to fund, in whole or in part, the fixed capital outlay costs associated with improving the physical security of school buildings as identified by a security risk assessment completed before August 1, 2018, by a school district or charter school. By August 31, 2018, the department shall submit the grant guidelines, which must include an application submission deadline of no later than December 1, 2018, and the specific evaluation criteria, to all school districts and charter schools. The department shall award grants no later than January 15, 2019, based upon the evaluation criteria set forth in the application guidelines.
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