The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE),
School Health Services office is pleased to announce the 2023 Arkansas AWARE
Advancement School Mini-Grant Project Request for Applications (RFA). The
Arkansas AWARE program is intended to support public schools with the
implementation of direct mental health services, mental health awareness,
trauma-informed practices and behavior support services. This special grant
opportunity is supported with funding provided to DESE through the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) RFA-SM-18-006 AWARE
(Advancing Wellness And Resiliency in Education) State Education Agency
Grant.
All Arkansas public school districts are eligible to apply for
grant funding up to $10,000 to provide direct mental health services, mental
health awareness, trauma-informed practices and behavior support services.
As a requirement of the application process, districts must
complete the Bronze Level School Mental Health Profile within the School Health
Assessment and Performance Evaluation (SHAPE) system. The district will need to
create a district level login and complete the following sections of the School
Mental Health Profile: Students Served and Data Systems, Staffing, and Services
and Supports. (https://theshapesystem.com/). The Bronze Level SHAPE
Certificate of Completion should be included with the application packet
submission.
The 2023 Arkansas AWARE Advancement School Mini-Grant Project
guidelines, application template, and budget narrative forms are attached to
this commissioner’s memo. Applications will be awarded based on technical merit
on a first come, first served basis.
Districts should submit completed applications as an electronic file
to Elizabeth.Kindall@ade.arkansas.gov. Applications will be
accepted now through Friday, October 28, or until funds are
depleted.
An online technical assistance webinar has been recorded for interested
applicants. The recording may be viewed at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G1vbXnzTcDclcNlxynh7URZ7DoS6ssTu/view?usp=sharing