MADISON — During his 2022 State of the State address, Gov. Evers announced his $15 million “Get Kids Ahead” initiative, which would award Wisconsin school districts with funds for school-based mental health support. On April 6, 2022, Gov. Evers announced that nearly every school district in the state will be awarded funds through this initiative.
Schools will be able to use these funds on anything that is needed to improve student mental health, including providing direct mental healthcare, hiring and supporting mental health navigators, providing mental health first aid and trauma-based care training, or providing family assistance programs. Each public school district was guaranteed a minimum of $10,000 in “Get Kids Ahead” funds, with the remainder being allocated on a per-pupil basis.
Every school district in the 80th Assembly District was awarded funds in amounts that exceeded the minimum that could be provided. A breakdown of these funds is as follows:
- Barneveld School District — $15,531
- Belleville School District — $22,232
- Madison Metropolitan School District — $361,660
- Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District — $107,760
- Monticello School District — $14,574
- Mount Horeb Area School District — $41,922
- New Glarus School District — $22,046
- Oregon School District — $61,054
- Pecatonica Area School District — $15,624
- Verona Area School District — $84,493
Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb), ranking Democratic member of the Assembly Committee on Education, released the following statement in response to the announcement of these mental health funds that were made available:
“I sincerely appreciate that Governor Evers has never stopped fighting for the needs of our children and our schools. After the governor originally proposed to include over $53 million for school mental health services in the 2021-23 biennial budget, legislative Republicans reduced his plan to a $19 million increase. His latest announcement of funds to bolster our schools’ mental health services will immensely benefit Wisconsin’s students. Prioritizing student mental health is essential for ensuring they are able to achieve academic success, participate in extra-curriculars, and grow in other critical ways. When students are struggling with their mental health, it becomes far more difficult for them to reach their highest potential. Investments in school mental health supports are investments in the success, well-being, and safety of our children. This is an essential place to direct our resources.”
For all “Get Kids Ahead” funds awarded throughout the state, see the full breakdown here.
