KSNV: Congresswoman Lee announces $12 million to tackle Nevada's mental health crisis

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Congresswoman Susie Lee has announced a nearly $12 million federal investment aimed at addressing Nevada's critical shortage of school psychologists and expanding mental health services for students. "In order to provide our students the quality mental health care they deserve, we need to hire and train more school psychologists," Lee said. "This $12 million investment will do just that — helping Nevada train more school psychologists and place them in the communities that need it most."

The Nevada Department of Education’s Office of a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment received a $7 million grant to increase the number of credentialed school psychologists in high-need schools, expand intervention services, and establish sustainable systems for recruiting and retaining mental health providers.

Over four years, the project aims to recruit, train, and retain at least 20 new school psychologists, improving the student-to-provider ratio by 20% and maintaining a 95% retention rate. This initiative is expected to expand access to mental health supports for approximately 7,800 Nevada students, where currently there is only one school psychologist for every 2,000 students.

Additionally, a $5 million federal grant was awarded to the Nevada Department of Education, in partnership with the Nevada System of Higher Education, to address the shortage of school psychologists in high-need and rural schools.

This funding will enhance statewide coordination in recruitment and retention efforts and strengthen higher education infrastructure to support schools' needs through expanded apprenticeship, accreditation, and recruitment programs.