DPS Receives Grant for More Than $500,000 to Provide Additional School-based Mental Health Support

Apr. 15, 2022

Students at Goldrick Elementary smile while looking at each other outside of the school, casually posing for a photo

DENVER – Denver Public Schools (DPS) announced recently that The Caring for Denver Foundation recently announced that they are awarding the school district a grant of $596,200 to strengthen and expand mental health services in schools. This announcement builds on the district’s ongoing initiative to provide additional mental health support for students.

“These funds will go a long way to increase and improve the support that our schools will be able to provide to our scholars,” said Dr. Alex Marrero, Superintendent for Denver Public Schools. “Just like school districts across the country, we are seeing an increase in students who need additional support to feel safe and secure. Without this, learning can be difficult.”

DPS will use these funds over a 36-month period. The majority of the money will fund three full-time positions; one intake specialist and two therapeutic service providers. The intake specialists will offer case management and resource referrals for one of our pathways schools. Therapeutic service providers are social workers and school psychologists who provide therapeutic services to students.

The district will use the remaining grant funds to train 20 school social workers and school psychologists in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). This training will expand current culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices.

Community-based mental health partners currently working in schools are continuing to provide services to students. School staff can reach out to their assigned mental health provider for more information on service options. Those schools who do not have a current partnership can reach out to Denver Health School-Based Health Centers at 720-424-2050.

About the Caring for Denver Foundation

Caring for Denver Foundation was founded and funded with overwhelming voter support to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs by growing community-informed solutions, dismantling stigma, and turning the community’s desire to help into action.