Five-Year Program Impact Report Β· 2020β2025
Expanding School-Based Mental Health Access Across America
How school-based mental health funding reached more than 1,000,000 students β and what changed for them.
Overview
How school-based mental health funding reached more than 1,000,000 students β and what changed for them.
Over five years, SBHSN has built a transformative model: embedding full-time mental health professionals and Transitional Coaches directly on school campuses in the communities that need them most.
Unlike outside referral systems that students rarely follow through on, the embedded model places support within walking distance of every student's classroom β removing every barrier between a child in crisis and the care they need.
Across nine states and hundreds of school districts, SBHSN-funded professionals have addressed student wellness and school climate, crisis prevention, family-centered engagement, and educator support β reshaping how schools understand and respond to the mental health needs of the communities they serve.
The results are measurable, replicable, and β as this report documents β transformative for students, families, and school staff alike.
Program Reach
Nine states. Hundreds of districts. One mission.
Watch as SBHSN's footprint grows. Hover any lit state to see program presence.
Network reach shown reflects the 2020β2025 reporting period. Today, SBHSN operates across 21 states β see Our Impact for the current network.
The Five Pillars of the SBHSN Model
Who We Serve
We went where the need was greatest.
SBHSN deliberately prioritizes the schools and communities with the fewest existing mental health resources.
The challenges these communities face
"For many students, the embedded clinician was the only mental health professional within walking distance of home."
Measured Outcomes
The data says this works.
Hover each metric to see context. All figures represent multi-year aggregate data across funded districts.
Supporting the adults, too.
"We didn't just gain a counselor. We gained a teammate who shows up for kids and staff every day."β School Counselor, Atlanta, GA
Impact Stories
The people behind the numbers.
The Turning Point
MS Perez β an urban middle school facing a behavioral crisis
- β Escalating classroom outbursts disrupting learning school-wide
- β Chronic teacher burnout and high staff absenteeism
- β No dedicated mental health professional on campus
"I was ready to quit until this grant helped me reframe what I was seeing in the classroom."β Teacher, MS Perez
The Breakthrough
Luis β a 7th grader in Connecticut
Luis, a 7th grader in Connecticut, hadn't spoken in class all year. A deep trauma history kept him withdrawn, disengaged, and on the verge of being placed in a more restrictive educational setting.
"This grant allowed our school to finally give students what they truly needed β someone to listen, someone to help, someone they could trust."
β Principal, FL
What Schools Can Expect
A comprehensive partnership from day one.
The Road Ahead
This is the beginning.
Five years of proof. A roadmap for what comes next.
Reach an additional 820 schools with mental health professionals and Transitional Coaches β building on the foundation of our first five years.
Deliver comprehensive trauma-informed education training to all school staff in partner districts, creating a resilient, trauma-sensitive campus culture.
Advocate for Medicaid and federal support mechanisms so that school-based mental health services continue without interruption β independent of grant cycles.
To the Future
William Alvarez
Program and Grant Services, SBHSN
These results could be your school's results.
Applications are open. Our team reviews every submission personally.
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