DALLAS, Texas — Federal officials have awarded $4.7 million to expand mental health services at 34 public schools in the Rio Grande Valley over the next four years, according to an announcement from U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez.
The U.S. Department of Education will provide the funding through a multi-cycle, four-year award under its school-based mental health service programs. The funds will support students, families, and school staff at participating campuses across the region.
The award targets public school districts in communities along the Texas-Mexico border. Districts will use the funding to hire additional mental health professionals, expand existing programs, and develop new services aimed at addressing student mental health needs.
School officials will oversee implementation and coordinate counseling, crisis response, early identification of mental health concerns, and referrals to outside providers when necessary.
The funding will be distributed in phases over four years, allowing districts to plan, maintain, and evaluate services across multiple academic years. Administrators will track outcomes and submit required reports to the Department of Education.
The Rio Grande Valley allocation is part of a broader federal effort to expand access to school-based mental health care nationwide.