MPS mental health services, district awarded $5M federal grant

MPS awarded mental health grant

Milwaukee Public Schools on Wednesday announced the district has been awarded a $5 million grant to support school-based mental health services for students.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Public Schools on Wednesday announced the district has been awarded a $5 million grant to support school-based mental health services for students.

Local perspective:

The U.S. Department of Education awarded the four-year grant. MPS said it will "strengthen and expand the district's pipeline of school psychologists" through partnerships with Alverno College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Specifically, MPS said the grant will fund training, practicum placements, and internships and will assist with long-term recruitment, providing a local pipeline of credentialed school psychologists prepared to serve MPS students.

Dig deeper:

MPS said its Office of Psychological Services was one of only two districts nationwide to receive an "exemplary" designation by the National Association of School Psychologists in 2025. Since 2020, only four districts have achieved this, the organization’s highest level of recognition.  

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The MPS Office of Psychological Services prioritizes supporting early-career psychologists through its comprehensive practicum and internship programs. Currently, 48% of MPS school psychologists have completed their practicum in the district.

What they're saying:

MPS provided the following statements from leaders.

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Brenda Cassellius, MPS superintendent

"Students learn best when they feel supported, safe, and understood. This investment allows MPS to expand access to school-based mental health services and ensure more students can connect with trained professionals who understand their needs. By growing our school psychologist workforce, we are also strengthening the support systems around students and building a more sustainable approach to helping every child succeed academically, socially and emotionally."

Gina Rossetti, Alverno College vice president for academic affairs:

"This is a tremendous moment for Milwaukee and for the future of school mental health services. We are honored to collaborate with MPS on this critically important initiative. This partnership allows our students to learn directly within Milwaukee schools while contributing meaningful, immediate impact. Together, we’re strengthening the workforce that supports our children — and we’re doing it in a way that reflects Alverno’s commitment to serving our community." 

Kristy Kelly, UW-Madison School Psychology Program director of clinical training:

"We are honored to partner with Milwaukee Public Schools to strengthen Wisconsin’s school mental health infrastructure. Our partnership with MPS will provide graduate students with high-quality training and supervision while helping the district expand its capacity to meet rising mental health needs. We are deeply committed to strengthening the local workforce and supporting MPS as it builds a sustainable, community-centered model of mental health care for children and adolescents."