California Department of Mental Health

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PEI - Statewide Projects - Student Mental Health Initiative

The SMHI webpage is currently under development, so please check back periodically or send an e-mail to Justin Whitcomb to sign up for the SMHI notification list for future funding opportunities and other updates.

At this time, the K-12 Student Mental Health Initiative RFA is on hold.  Please e-mail Justin.Whitcomb@dmh.ca.gov to be placed on the SMHI database notification list.

News and Updates

Program Information

  • Key Elements of SMHI
    • Campus-Based Mental Health Programs
      • Mental Health Promotion Programs
      • Early Intervention
      • Peer to Peer Support Activities
      • Suicide Prevention Programs
      • Referral and Linkage
    • Systems and Policy Development
    • Training
    • Evaluation
  • Funding Opportunities
    • 4-Year Grants for K-12 and Higher Education institutions to develop a comprehensive system of mental health services and supports for students will be available soon.
    • Approximate SMHI Grants and Amounts:
      • 20 K-12 Campus Grants (approximately $100-350K each)
      • 50 Higher Education Campus Grants (approximately $100K each)
      • 6 Higher Education System Grants (approximately $500K each)
    • Proposed Timeline
      • DMH proposes to release the K-12 RFA in Fall 2008 and the Higher Education RFA will follow.
  • Potential County Level Activities to Support the SMHI
    • Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of student mental health services and supports.
    • Convene a group, or use an existing body, to foster collaboration between county mental health and schools.
    • Create a school-linked Prevention and Early Intervention project to address children at risk of school failure.
    • Create a campus-linked Prevention and Early Intervention project to address first onset of a psychiatric illness.
  • Staff Contact Information:

Resources