New Richmond School District receives $300,000 Stronger Connections Grant

Director of Student Services Kathy Rogers informed board members at their meeting Monday, March 18, that the District has been awarded the Stronger Connections Grant, which is worth $300,000.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was signed into law by President Biden on June 25, 2022. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI) received $12.5 million in BSCA funds to administer the BSCA Stronger Connections competitive grant program. 

Rogers wrote the grant with assistance from school social worker Erica Premeau back in November.

Across Wisconsin, 300 school districts met the criteria for applying but only 35 were awarded funds through DPI.

The grants were directed at “high” needs schools or Local Education Agencies (LEA), that met two criteria pertaining to students’ economic circumstances and mental health-related challenges:

1. LEAs with 500 or more students who are economically disadvantaged, or 40 or greater percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged.

AND  

2. LEAs that met one of the following criteria: 

● A 10% or greater chronic absenteeism, or 

● A 250:1 or higher student to School Based Mental Health (SBMH) professional ratio, or 

● A 1 or greater per capita shortage of SBMH professionals, or 

● A 2 or more exclusionary discipline incidents per 100 students/year, or 

● A 2 or more students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) subject to seclusion or restraints.

New Richmond District data reveals there is a significant discrepancy in academic performance and social/emotional well-being related to economically disadvantaged students, students in special education, non-white students and other students in traditionally underserved populations.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) documented that very few students receive the mental health or Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) support they need when they need it.

Rogers explained that the District has two primary goals for the funding both driven by the data.

1. To ensure that 100% of staff receive training and support in areas of Trauma Sensitive Schools, Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) and culturally responsive classrooms. 

2. To increase the number of students who received the needed mental health/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) support as reported on the YRBS. 

Fund Allocation/Planned Grant Activities 

The District can start using the funds now and continue to use them through September of 2026. 

Rogers outlined the following plan for implementing the funds:  

1. Contract with the Cook Center for Human Connection for: 

• Parent/family coaching in areas of parenting and mental health 
• Staff professional development and wellness support 
• Monthly virtual PD for family 
• Access to a website with information and support for families with students struggling with mental health needs 

2. Hiring an additional pupil services staff member (school social worker, counselor, teacher on special assignment) 

3. Ensuring at least 1 pupil services staff member is trained to provide AODA prevention/intervention services at school 

4. Ensure continued PBIS implementation through training and coaching 

5. Explore and adopt policies and programs to reduce truancy

“I am very excited about receiving the grant,” Rogers said. “This can give us a big boost in accomplishing some of the goals we have set for improving mental health and the social/emotional wellbeing of our students.”

Rogers said he expects to post the opportunity for additional student services staff shortly. She recognizes increasing access to services is essential to improving student achievement and confidence.

“The more students feel they belong at school and are engaged in learning and activities while here, the more we reduce the number of risk factors in their lives,” Rogers said. “Schools have a big impact on students, I want that to be as positive of an impact as possible. We are already working on the framework for implementing the goals of the grant. It is an amazing opportunity for us.”