Project AWARE expansion will further support school-based wellbeing
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced expanded funding for Indiana Schools to further increase awareness for mental and emotional wellbeing, while improving connections to available mental health services. Expanded funding was made available through the Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education (AWARE) grant provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
McCormick
“The social and emotional wellbeing of our students and staff is an important component to being prepared and actively engaged in education,” State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick said. “Further expanding our Project AWARE efforts, allows Indiana to create and continue lasting partnerships focused on developing effective and successful mental health practices and resources.”
In 2018, IDOE was awarded the Project AWARE grant. In partnership with the Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction and local community mental health organizations, IDOE selected three districts focused on creating models of effective mental health practices for replication across Indiana. Through a competitive process, Avon Community School Corporation, Perry Central Community School Corporation, and Vigo County School Corporation were the initial sites selected.
Looking to further the efforts of Project AWARE, IDOE has selected eight additional partnership districts. In addition, the state has created the all new Change the Frequency campaign – a campaign focused on raising awareness around the stigma of mental health in schools and communities. The campaign provides students, faculty, and support systems with easy-to-understand tools and practices centered around recognizing the ways in which one’s own social, emotional, and mental wellbeing can be influenced, and working to change that individual’s wellbeing and overall quality of life.
Locally, IDOE selected Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Sheridan Community Schools and Westfield Washington Schools. The selected districts, their community mental health partners, and amounts award include:
- HSE and Community Health Network – $58,000
- Sheridan and Kids Pysch Incorporated (KPI) – $59,000
- Westfield and St. Vincent Behavioral Health/Aspire – $58,000
For more information regarding Indiana’s work addressing student wellbeing within schools, click here. To learn more about the impact of services to date, including a link to the Change the Frequency promotional video, please visit projectawarein.org. For more information on Project AWARE, please visit samhsa.gov/nitt-ta/project-aware-grant-information.