MHSPADM: 4998

To build and expand the capacity of State Education Agencies (SEA) to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth; provide training for school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues in children and young adults; and connect children, youth, and families who may have behavioral health issues with appropriate services.

NITT-AWARE-SEA cooperative agreements are authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD.

PA 104-0003

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Goal One: Increase and improve access to school- and community-based services that are culturally/linguistically relevant, developmentally-appropriate, trauma-sensitive, and evidence-informed. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health (DMH) is the federally recognized State Mental Health Authority and certifies community mental health centers (CMHC). These CMHC’s are embedded in the communities they service and maintain knowledge and expertise in providing services to students with or at risk of serious emotional disturbances. These entities provide EBPs that are developmentally appropriate prioritizing the principles of recovery, SOC, trauma informed care and culturally relevant practices. There has been and continues to be barriers to linking students and their families to CMHC’s thus resulting in reduced access and utilization of services. By developing community youth wellness coalitions (CYW Coalition), the model will ensure successful collaborative relationships between schools and CMHCs. Obj 1.a. Within six months of award, project managers will include cultural brokers and families that represent the culture of the student body at all levels of planning, teaming, and evaluation. Rosters with demographics of team members will reflect community diversity. Obj 1.b. By end of year one, each project manager will have developed a CYW Coalition. The Coalitions will conduct a needs assessment, identify service and program gaps and develop a plan for services. Meeting minutes will summarize process, findings, and selected programs. Obj 1.c. Within 18 months, AWARE staff will co-train providers across sectors to provide the selected services. Registration records will contain title of selected programs, number trained in mental health practices consistent with the goals of the grant, and their disciplines. Goal Two: Develop school-based mental health programs. staffed by behavioral health specialists, to identify and address mental health needs of children with symptoms of mental disorder(s) or SED. Approximately 36.3% of students in Illinois who completed the Illinois Youth Behavior Survey in 2019 reported that they felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for more than two weeks that they stopped doing some usual activities, 19% of students seriously considered suicide, 15.6% of students had a plan for how they would attempt suicide, 27% drank alcohol and 22% indicated marijuana use. We will identify students with needs and connect them with a school-based navigator and therapist in the school setting. We will engage in cross-sector teaming for multi-system students. Obj 2.a. Within three months, CMHCs will place licensed therapists in schools to provide therapeutic supports and services. Budget reports will indicate FTE and date hired Obj 2.b. By the fourth month, project managers will designate school-based navigators to follow-up on positive screens, manage referrals, conduct interviews, and engage in care coordination. Budget reports will indicate FTE and date hired. Navigator records will document number of individuals referred to mental health or related service and GPRA interviews. Obj 2.c. By the fourth month, school-based therapists will provide therapy to students with symptoms of mental disorder or SED. Navigators will report number receiving services. Obj 2.d. By year two, schools will conduct a universal screening process to identify students in need of services. Project manager will report number screened and positive screens. Obj 2.e. By year two, school-based therapists will implement a Wraparound intervention model to develop one family plan across systems. Navigators will report number of cases and sessions. Goal Three: Conduct outreach and engagement with school-aged youth and their families to increase awareness and identification of mental health issues and to promote positive mental health. In the previous AWARE grant, LEAs and SEA trained 2180 individuals in the National Council of Behavioral Health’s Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), and we will expand the reach in AWARE 2.0. Feedback from parents regarding mental health topics will be collected and the project will bring groups of parents together to discuss. In middle and high school settings, student leadership will be encouraged and promoted. Obj 3.a. Within three months, AWARE staff will train community members in YMHFA. Records will indicate number of trainings and attendants. Obj 3.b. Within eighteen months, school-based therapists will host Parent Cafe’s in natural settings on topics selected by caregivers. Records will indicate number of café's and attendees. Obj 3.c. By Year three, schools will develop a youth empowerment, peer mentoring, or peer mediation program. Project managers will report number of students participating. Goal Four: Connect families, schools, and communities to increase engagement and involvement in planning and implementing school and community programs for school-aged youth. AWARE 2.0 will charge the LEAs to engage all child-serving entities and coordinate efforts to include all sectors under a framework of shared investment and responsibility for student outcomes. LEAs will eliminate gaps and duplications in services and streamline communication between systems. Obj 4.a. Within three months, project managers will develop a community-wide youth wellness coalition. MOUs will indicate the number of organizations partnering. Obj 4.b. Within four months, project managers and navigators will participate in local data collection to assess community outcomes. Data submitted will evidence completion. Obj 4.c. Within nine months, local coalitions will conduct resource mapping and identify gaps in the children’s multi-tiered service delivery system. Summary will be included. Obj 4.d. By year two, the coalition will adopt a universal exchange of information form. The form will be evidence completion. Obj 4.e By year two, navigators will institute referral and on-going communication protocols to facilitate collaboration across sectors. Meeting minutes or logs will document use. Obj 4.f. By year four, project managers will develop an orientation manual and process in anticipation of staff turnover. The manual will be evidence of completion. Goal Five: Help school-aged youth develop skills that will promote resilience and promote pro-social behaviors; avert development of mental and behavioral health disorders; and prevent youth violence. LEA’s will develop safe and warm climates for learning, explicitly teach social-emotional learning (SEL) skills in the classroom and provide targeted supports to students who are at-risk of developing mental health concerns. Obj 5.a. By year two, educators will be instructed on integrating executive function/SEL skills in content areas. Registration records will document number trained in prevention or promotion. Obj 5.b. By year two, school-based providers will deliver skill-building group interventions to students who screen positive. Navigator records will document number and percentage of youth receiving service after referral. Obj 5.c. By year three, schools will implement a universal SEL curriculum in the LEAs. Project manager will report number of teachers/students participating. Obj 5.d. By year four, school administrators will use a positive/restorative approach to discipline and enhance school climate. Scores on school climate measures will be tracked. Goal Six: Equip schools with the ability to immediately and effectively respond to the psychological needs of students. Educators will engage in continuing professional education opportunities to develop and model SEL to support learners with mental health needs in the educational environment. Obj 6.a. Within six months, ECHO consultants will offer state-wide case-based learning to equip schools to meet needs of students. Records will indicate number and disciplines trained. Obj 6.b. By year two, educators will participate in adult SEL program. Records will indicate number and disciplines trained. Obj 6.c. By year four, each LEA will create a multi-tiered continuum of interventions designed to meet the psychological needs of students at the right time with the right intensity. Goal Seven: Develop an infrastructure that will sustain and expand mental health and behavioral health services and supports for school-aged youth when federal funding ends. A state-level coalition will develop and disseminate a sustainable and scalable plan for schools to meet the social-emotional needs of students across diverse districts. Obj 7.a. Within three months, the project director(s) will develop a state-level coalition to plan a comprehensive youth wellness initiative in coordination with other related youth initiatives and policies. Meeting summaries will document participants and process. Obj 7.b. Within nine months, project director(s) will disseminate the plan and regularly communicate to Regional Offices of Education. Progress reports will evidence completion. Obj 7.c. By year two, project director(s) identify and pool expertise/resources available across the state and make them accessible to educators and providers in under-served communities Meeting summaries will reflect process and outcomes. Obj 7.d. By year four, the three LEAs will implement three tiers. Process data will be collected. Obj 7.e. By year five, the state-level coalition will propose the model be included in pre-service and continuing ed requirements for professional educators. Meeting minutes will be evidence. Obj 7.f. By year five, project director(s) and project managers will develop and advocate for changes to policy and/or practice that support the implementation, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability of the plan. Policy changes will be reflected in meeting minutes.

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Education Organizations;

Page 655 of Public Act 104-0003 indicates that $533,000 will go to ROE 40, $1,200,989 will go to ISC 2 (West 40), and $29,278 will go to IDHS

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Non-competitive

Education

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Applications are found within ISBE’s IWAS system.

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Applications are reviewed using modified Merit Based Review Process.

Applications are due within 30 calendar days of receipt

Applications are generally approved or returned for changes within 30 calendar days of receipt.

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Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Funds (including direct costs and indirect costs) may be used only for expenses clearly related and necessary to carry out approved activities that will provide immediately useful, practical knowledge that service providers need as they wrestle with the rapidly changing health care environment.100% of grants funds under CFDA # 94.243

Expenditure reports to be submitted on quarterly basis via IWAS. Programmatic reports are submitted annually. Final programmatic report due 30 days after completion of grant period.

Refer to the link below for 2 CFR Subpart F Audit Requirements. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F

There is a 3-year records retention requirement; records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period if final audit has not been completed or findings resolved.

560-58618-4900-00-00

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CFR 200/45 CFR Part 75 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS awards; also the HHS Grants Policy Statement.

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Illinois State Board of Education 100 North First Street Springfield IL 62777

https://www.isbe.net/Pages/School-Wellness.aspx

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Federal Programs: IL-AWARE

FY 2026 : $1,763,267