by KHI News Service
Washington, D.C. — Academic institutions and educational organizations in Kansas and Missouri were awarded federal grants of more than $1.2 million to train mental health providers and expand community efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.
The grants were among $99 million disbursed by HHS under the Obama administration’s “Now Is the Time” plan aimed at reducing gun violence, increasing access to mental health services and making schools safer, according to a department news release.
“The Administration is committed to increasing access to mental health services to protect the health of children and communities,” HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said in a statement. “Today, I am pleased to announce another step the Department is taking to help ensure that our young people have access to the mental health services they need to reach their full potential.”
Awards to educate and train mental health professionals include:
• University of Kansas Center for Research in Lawrence, $242,857.
• University of Missouri-Kansas City, $132,924.
• University of Missouri-St. Louis, $312,807.
• Saint Louis University, $77,681.
• Washington University in St. Louis, $146,143.
• Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Mo., $299,712.
Local educational agency grants for Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) include:
• Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, Girard, $97,884.
• Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools, $99,960.
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