Coconino County Education Service Agency Receives over $8 Million to

Big news in education and mental health services have come out of Coconino County – the local Education Service Agency has secured two hefty grants aiming to strengthen support systems for youth mental health.

According to a recent announcement by Cheryl Mango-Paget, Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, the Coconino County Education Service Agency (CCESA) is on the receiving end of a $4,374,353 grant to be utilized throughout the County. Students and educators, as well as those within rural and tribal areas, will benefit from the injection of resources designed to address the lack of school-based mental health services. These communities, hindered by geographic barriers and a limited professional workforce, often see delays in mental healthcare that can hinder students’ overall well-being and academic performance.

The substantial fund supports an initiative called the Northern Arizona Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NARRI), a program that emphasizes increasing access to mental health amenities while boosting long-term workforce numbers. Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget stated, “NARRI allows us to build capacity from within our own communities.” A partnership with Northern Arizona University (NAU) stands at the core of this initiative, establishing a “grow-your-own” model that encourages the recruitment and retention of school psychologists in northern Arizona.

The second grant is part of Arizona Project CAN, an effort steered by the Arizona Department of Education in alliance with CCESA and NAU, which focuses on the youth mental health crisis in rural areas of northern Arizona. With a federal grant of $4 million allocated to this state-wide initiative, of which over $1 million is proposed for CCESA, early identification of student needs, thorough screening, and accessible in-school mental health services are to be enhanced.

This financial boost is seen as a “transformational opportunity” for the mental health landscape in educational settings, as quoted by Cheryl Mango-Paget. The wins not only promise support for today’s immediate mental health requirements, but they also vow to build a sturdy foundation for a more resilient future workforce aimed at empowering students and educators alike.

Those interested in further details regarding school-based mental health services in Coconino County can reach out to the Superintendent of Schools Education Service Agency at (928) 679-8070.