SCHOFIELD, Wis. (WSAW) – The DC Everest School District has received a $20,000 grant from the Wisconsin Education Association (WEA) Members Benefits Foundation to bolster mental health resources for students, staff, and parents in the upcoming school year.
The grant funds will primarily assist students who cannot afford mental health services. However, the allocation will extend across all grade levels within the district and also benefit individuals outside the district.
DC Everest has been collaborating with community mental health programs, but like many schools nationwide, they have experienced an increasing need for such services. The grant aims to address existing gaps and support the continuation and expansion of mental health programming.
“Covering the therapist and counselor costs for underinsured or uninsured students is crucial,” said WEA Members Benefits Executive Director Steve Goldberg. “This is something the Marathon County Consortium has been doing for a couple of years, but their funding is running out.”
With this new funding, DC Everest plans to introduce innovative initiatives. For the first time, they will host an annual retreat at the School Forest Nature Center, offering students direct services from community therapists.
“We are excited to invite students to participate in our first annual retreat and provide them with direct mental health services,” said Gina Lehman, DC Everest School District Student Services Director.
The grant will also enable the district to expand successful existing programs, including the ‘Raise Your Voice’ initiative. This program promotes peer-to-peer support for mental health issues, and plans are underway to establish a middle school ‘Raise Your Voice’ club.
“One of our goals is to increase peer support by introducing a middle school ‘Raise Your Voice’ club,” Lehman explained. “This allows peers to help each other regarding mental health issues.”
DC Everest intends to apply for additional mental health grants to ensure future generations have input on the allocation of school funds.
“Listening to our students is paramount,” Lehman emphasized. “When we have funding available, and students come up with ideas for retreats or leadership summits, it allows us to implement and follow through on those initiatives.”
The WEA Members Benefits Foundation aims to support more school districts in the region, with rural districts next on their list. DC Everest also plans to focus on both physical and mental wellness as part of their ongoing mental health efforts.
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