Student Mental Health Supports

The deadline to apply for this funding opportunity closed on September 22, 2023. 

The Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning (DEEL) is accepting applications from select schools to implement youth-informed approaches to mental health services that are responsive to the cultural and lived experiences of students of color. Funding will increase and expand options for clinical and non-clinical mental health services at schools to prevent and reduce adverse student mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Funding is available through the City’s approved 2023-24 budget, and will fund up to three additional schools as part of the City’s ongoing $4.5 million investment in student mental health services in schools.

Please note: Changes to the funding process and timeline may occur. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this webpage for technical assistance information, updates, clarifications, or amendments.

Grant Process Update: 

On September 13, 2023, DEEL extended the application by one week. The deadline to apply is now Friday, September 22, 2023.

Who can apply and for how much money

A needs assessment and prioritization process was conducted to identify the following schools eligible to apply for funding:  

• Cleveland High School
• Franklin High School
• Garfield High School 
• Nathan Hale High School  

Applications for this grant are restricted to the schools listed above. Applicants approved for funding will receive up to $500,000 over school years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to implement mental health services in alignment with strategies outlined in the funding application. 

Five schools that began implementing services in the 2022-23 school year as part of the initial launch of the Student Mental Health Supports Pilot—Rainier Beach, Ingraham, and Chief Sealth International high schools, and Denny International and Aki Kurose middle schools—will also receive a total of $500,000 over school years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to ensure continuity of services for students, allow for pilot stabilization, and foster ongoing community learning. 

Types of programs that can be funded

This grant will fund applicants demonstrating capacity and readiness to successfully implement youth-informed, culturally-specific and responsive, clinical and non-clinical approaches to school-level mental health services including, but not limited to:  

• Direct clinical care provided by licensed mental health clinicians
• Mental and emotional health screenings and referrals to mental health supports and care services
• Social-emotional learning activities during the school day providing a space for students to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, feel and show empathy for others, build supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions

Examples of interventions eligible for funding in alignment with the above strategies include, but are not limited to: therapy sessions provided by clinicians of color; family support workshops; substance abuse support; restorative practice circles; community-based programming providing culturally affirming approaches to health and healing. 

Be sure to review the application overview document to view the comprehensive list of strategies and interventions eligible for funding in alignment with the priorities of this RFP.   

How applicants will be selected

The evaluation process for this grant will be competitive based on limited funding available to fund up to a maximum of three schools.  

Proposals will be reviewed by a funding panel comprised of existing pilot school learning community members from Chief Sealth, Ingraham, and Rainier Beach high schools, and Denny and Aki middle schools, including: 

• Students
• Community-based organizations 
• Mental health experts
• DEEL staff 

Technical Assistance

An information session will be hosted by DEEL staff for eligible schools to share the history of the pilot and vision for the investment moving forward. The session will be held virtually on August 14, and will be recorded and posted virtually on this page.  
 
DEEL staff will also schedule individual consultant sessions during the open application period with each school leader and team to support proposal development and discuss grant requirements and expectations.  

Timeline

*Dates are subject to change.

How to apply

Click the link below to view the RFP Overview document, which will guide you through the application process.    

 
The following forms are required as part of your application: 

Reference links and frequently asked questions

Use the following links to access additional information you will need to apply for this funding opportunity. 

RFI References 

Information about DEEL's Process to Identify Schools Eligible for Funding

How to submit the application

Email your application materials to vik.cheema@seattle.gov by Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PST, with the following naming convention in the subject line of your email: “[School Name] - Student Mental Health Supports RFI.”

How to submit questions 

To submit questions, please email vik.cheema@seattle.gov with "Question: Student Mental Health RFI" in the subject line. Responses will be published and linked in the table above.