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U.S. Department of Education Notifies Halt of Funding for CVUSD’s Mental Health Services Grant

On April 29th, two days before the start of National Mental Health Awareness Month, the Conejo Valley Unified School District received this letter from the United States Department of Education stating it plans to halt all future funding of the $11.3 million, five-year grant that the District was awarded in 2022 from the U.S. Department of Education’s School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program.

The purpose of the District’s grant is to support and expand upon the mental health services provided to students across all of our CVUSD campuses, including the following primary objectives:

  • Addition of 19 new positions to support mental health services, including 17 Mental Health Clinicians.

  • Continue to create safe environments for students to access services, including the providing of funding to support the District’s ten Wellness Centers, which offer drop-in services, individual and small group counseling, workshops, classroom presentations and school-wide activities.

  • Professional development and staff training. 

The District has begun to take the necessary steps to appeal this decision made by the federal government, which would result in the District not receiving nearly $5 million in expected funding to support student mental health over the next two years.

It is crucial to emphasize that the decision to terminate this meaningful grant is unrelated to the performance of our Mental Health Services team. Our dedicated team of trained Mental Health professionals has consistently provided individual therapy to nearly 1,000 students, with parents’/guardians’ consent, each year that the District has received this grant funding. Moreover, our Mental Health Services team has offered enhanced services to students across a myriad of areas, all of which will be highlighted in our appeal letter. By showcasing the impact and reach of these services, we aim to demonstrate the importance of this grant and advocate for its reinstatement.

At the same time, it is now critical that the District review budgets and funding sources to evaluate ways funds could be shifted to support available Mental Health Services for students in the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

The District is greatly disheartened by the decision to rescind crucial funding essential for supporting our students’ mental health and well-being. Despite this setback, the CVUSD stands unwavering in our commitment to the overall well-being and mental health of every student we serve.