The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved the Behavioral Health Services Department $10.1 million allocation to support school-based wellness centers through the School-Based Wellness Center Grant Program (Grant Program) to be administered by Valley Health Foundation (VHF).
Donor Name: County of Santa Clara
State: California
County: Santa Clara (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/20/2023
Size of the Grant: $360,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Details:
The purpose of the Grant Program is to help schools/school districts develop, enhance, and/or expand school-based behavioral health wellness centers. Guided by the School-Based Behavioral Health Wellness Centers Expansion Operational Plan, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), public schools, and school districts within Santa Clara County may be eligible to apply for funds to open a new wellness center, enhance an existing wellness center, and/or strengthen and build operational infrastructure.
Eligible schools include K-6, K-7, K-8, middle schools, and high schools. With a focus on racial equity, these grant funds will be used to address a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention, and service needs and the necessary infrastructure, technology, and training that effectively supports the public behavior health system.
The Grant Program is part of the County’s strategic vision to address inequity and improve public health, provide safety net services for the community, and support the County’s continued COVID-19 response. The Grant Program will help establish sustainable efforts to address the mental health and well-being of students in K-12 school districts.
The Grant Program is funded by one-time funding from the Federal Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) funds, and Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act funds under the Youthful Offender Block Grant (JJCPA-YOBG).
Funding Categories and Eligible Uses
- New School-Based Behavioral Health Wellness Centers
- $180,000 annually for two years for a maximum of $360,000. Eligible uses of funds under this funding category are costs necessary to open and establish a new school-based behavioral health wellness center. Examples of allowable uses include, but not limited to:
- Wellness center core staffing that includes a center coordinator/liaison
- Credentialed behavioral health professionals (e.g., therapist, counselor, or licensed clinical social worker)
- Contract services to fulfill a multi-tiered system of youth support
- Supplies, books, and activities to support the students’ wellness and well-being
- $180,000 annually for two years for a maximum of $360,000. Eligible uses of funds under this funding category are costs necessary to open and establish a new school-based behavioral health wellness center. Examples of allowable uses include, but not limited to:
- Enhancements to Existing Wellness Centers
- $75,000 annually for two years for a maximum of $150,000. Eligible uses of funds under this funding category are costs that enhance existing services. Examples of allowable uses include, but not limited to:
- Supplemental services such as contracted services from external organizations that fulfill a multi-tiered system of youth support
- Additional wellness center staff
- Supplies, books, and activities to support the students’ wellness and well-being
- $75,000 annually for two years for a maximum of $150,000. Eligible uses of funds under this funding category are costs that enhance existing services. Examples of allowable uses include, but not limited to:
- Operational Infrastructure
- One-time allocation of $75,000 for minor construction and equipment to support a new or existing wellness center. Eligible uses of funds under this funding category are costs that support facility improvements. Examples of allowable uses include, but not limited to:
- Technology
- Equipment
- Furnishings
- Minor facility repair and renovation
- Removal of barriers to access
- One-time allocation of $75,000 for minor construction and equipment to support a new or existing wellness center. Eligible uses of funds under this funding category are costs that support facility improvements. Examples of allowable uses include, but not limited to:
- Construction Projects
- If your proposal includes minor facility repair and/or renovation, provide the School District Facilities Manager contact information and a detailed construction plan that demonstrates compliance with applicable jurisdiction’s building codes and permits
Project Period
Maximum contract term is two years for each funding category beginning as of the executed date of the grant agreement. For example, a grant agreement executed February 1, 2024, will expire on January 31, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum Threshold Requirements
- Applicant must be a Local Education Agency (LEA), public school, and/or school district in Santa Clara County.
- The application must be complete and with applicable attachments in the appropriate section of the application.
- Applicant School District and Schools must operate and serve students within Santa Clara County.
- Only one School District Application will be accepted per School District.
- Individual School Applications must be submitted by their respective School District.
- Both the School District Application and associated Individual School Applications must be submitted by the deadline of Friday, October 20, 2023, 5:00 pm. Late applications will not be accepted.
- Funding requests must be within the maximum range by funding category.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Each School District Application must have at least one (1) associated Individual School Application to be eligible.
- Charter schools seeking to apply must provide a Letter of Support from their Oversight School District. Have a registered Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number through Sam.gov.
- Applicants must be in compliance with Suspension and Debarment. Applicant has not been debarred or suspended or otherwise excluded from participating in Federal assistance programs.
- School Districts must demonstrate a negative public health impact or disproportionate impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disproportionate impact will be presumed for schools operating in QCTs.
- School Districts must demonstrate their commitment to advancing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion within their organization and programing.
- School districts must demonstrate intent to serve individuals who are historically underserved or unserved.
- Projects must offer services to all students of Santa Clara County, regardless of age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, political or religious opinions or affiliations.
For more information, visit County of Santa Clara.
