The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is
pleased to announce the availability of grant funds for Arkansas public school
districts to implement school-based health centers in partnership with
community physical health and mental health providers. The Arkansas
School-Based Health Center (SBHC) Initiative is a competitive funding
opportunity for districts to implement on-campus medical and mental health
service partnerships. The Arkansas School-Based Health Center program is
intended to promote health, wellness, and academic achievement in Arkansas
public schools.
School-based health centers provide access to basic
physical, mental, dental, or other services, as needed. The health center
provides services beyond the scope of the school nurse practice and, therefore,
is not intended to replace the school nurse. The intent of the center is to act
as a resource for wellness and prevention for public school students and staff.
All Arkansas public school districts intending to establish,
expand, or enhance access to provider services are eligible to apply for grant
funding up to $150,000. One SBHC per district may be funded by the DESE during
the current funding cycle. Grant recipients will be eligible to receive an
annual distribution of funds for a three-year funding period. Annual renewal is
based on a review of implementation progress and appropriation of state
funding. The applying school district must act as the lead grantee and the
fiscal agent for the grant funds awarded.
To be eligible for the 2024-2025
SBHC funding cycle, districts must have a representative attend the in-person
SBHC Grant Writing Technical Assistance Training scheduled on Tuesday, February
6, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Extension
Office located at 2301 South University Ave, Little Rock, AR. Use the following
link to register in advance: Grant
Writing Technical Assistance Registration Link (NOTE: Pre-Registration
is required). Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation
email. Attending this event will act as a notice of intent to apply and deem
the district eligible to continue the application process. In the event the inclement weather policy is
implemented for the Little Rock area on February 6, 2024, the event will occur
on the alternate date of Monday, February 12, 2024.
Districts should submit
applications as a single PDF file attachment to ade.schoolhealthservices@ade.arkansas.gov.
The email subject line should reference the “2024-2025 SBHC Grant Application”.
Applications will be accepted through Monday, April 1, 2024.
For questions regarding the
School-Based Health Center program or other school health programming, please
contact the DESE School Health Services Office at 501-683-3604.