By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey has secured a federal Mental Health Service Professional Grant to help schools expand access to mental health support and increase the number of certified school psychologists across the state, according to information released by the New Jersey Department of Education and Governor Murphy’s Office.
Under the award, the NJDOE will receive $1.25 million per year through 2029, funding that will be used to lower student-to-psychologist ratios, recruit and retain qualified professionals, and build a long-term workforce pipeline to support student wellness.
The initiative will also focus on strengthening services in rural and high-need districts and increasing early-intervention resources for students.
Governor Phil Murphy said the investment reinforces the state’s commitment to student well-being, noting that academic success is closely tied to emotional and mental stability.
Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer added that the grant will help schools deliver timely, evidence-based support while developing the next generation of school-based mental health providers.
As part of the project, the NJDOE will partner with higher-education institutions to place graduate-level school psychology candidates in high-need districts.
The program will fund paid internships, offer tuition assistance tied to a post-graduation service commitment, and provide support for supervised training, to expand the number of credentialed school psychologists statewide.