Alisal Union School District receives $4.7 million to expand mental health services

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV): The Alisal Union School District is expanding it’s mental health services.

The district received a $4.7 million federal grant for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Congress approved the grant back in 2022.

The $4.7 million grant will expand its contract with Effective School Solutions, a private mental health service to provide therapeutic mental health services to students. The grant will also provide family therapy, and professional development services for staff or parents to all the schools of the district.

For people who live in Salinas, they think having mental health services is important, especially in schools.​

"There's a lot of students that have problems, and unfortunately, not a lot of people can help me," said Antonia Ayala, who lives in Salinas. "With this help it'll be better, because the kids will receive the help they need.

The district said it will increase therapists and social workers at schools this upcoming fall.

"This year was six, next year we're going to have twelve," said Alisal Union Unified School District Superintendent, Jim Koenig. "We currently have three social workers on the district payroll, next year we're going to have 4."

And for people like Ayala, she said every school district in the United States should have mental health services.

"There's been a lot of shootings and kids need help to better understand that," said Ayala.

The district said it was already providing services before, but not as comprehensive to every school, but now with this grant they will be able to do that. The district also said the number of Behavioral Health therapists will increase by 45%.