The West Contra Costa Unified School District in California recently learned that it will only receive a fraction of the $4.2 million grant it was awarded last year, thanks to the Trump administration’s decision to cut funding for student mental health programs. Interim Superintendent Kim Moses shared the news with board members, who were surprised by the sudden reduction. The district was one of only three in California to receive grants under the Mental Health Services Professional Grant program, which aimed to support student mental health by placing counseling interns in schools.
The cutback is a significant blow to the district, which has been working to address budget deficits and improve student mental health services in the wake of the pandemic. The reduction in funding comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate mental health programs in schools, including a recent move to terminate $1 billion in mental health grants signed into law by President Biden. Despite the setback, educators in West Contra Costa remain committed to supporting students and addressing their mental health needs, even with limited resources.
The grant reduction is likely tied to the program’s emphasis on diversity, which may have caught the attention of the current administration. The guidelines for the grant application highlighted the need to increase the number and diversity of mental health providers in high-need districts, reflecting the communities they serve. While the district considered appealing the decision, they ultimately realized that the grant had been eliminated entirely, leaving them with limited options. Moving forward, board members are focused on reassuring students that they will continue to support and protect them, even with fewer resources available.
