$5 Million Grant to MPS Will Strengthen Mental Health Supports for Students

(MILWAUKEE) — Superintendent Brenda Cassellius today announced that Milwaukee Public Schools has been awarded a $5 million, four-year school-based Mental Health Demonstration Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The grant will strengthen and expand the district’s pipeline of school psychologists through partnerships with Alverno College and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Specifically, the grant funds training, practicum placements, and internships, and it will assist with long-term recruitment, providing a local pipeline of credentialed school psychologists prepared to serve MPS students. Demand for student mental health services has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the grant will allow MPS to further expand access to high-quality, school-based services throughout the district.

“Students learn best when they feel supported, safe, and understood,” Dr. Cassellius said. “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.”

In recent years, MPS has significantly expanded its student mental health services through the support of voter-approved referenda. Prior to the 2020 referendum, MPS employed 1 school psychologist, counselor, and social worker for every 175 MPS students; during the 2025-26 school year, the district has improved this ratio to 1:145. This grant will further expand MPS’s school psychologist workforce to include five intern positions as well as a half-time mentor and half-time practicum support position, further reducing the staff-to-student ratios districtwide. While some MPS schools meet recommended staffing levels, many continue to exceed ideal ratios—highlighting the need for sustained, targeted investment.

In 2025, the Milwaukee Public Schools Office of Psychological Services (OPS) was one of only two in districts nationwide to receive an “exemplary” designation by the National Association of School Psychologists. Since 2020, only four districts have achieved this, the organization’s highest level of recognition.

“This is a tremendous moment for Milwaukee and for the future of school mental health services,” said Gina Rossetti, PhD, Alverno’s vice president for academic affairs. “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, PhD, Clinical Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the School Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, added, “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.”

The MPS Office of Psychological Services has long prioritized support of early career psychologists through its comprehensive practicum and internship programs. The support of these professionals is closely tied to helping students succeed academically, behaviorally, emotionally, and socially. This additional federal investment builds on that foundation by expanding training capacity and formalizing new university partnerships. The district will also continue its existing local training program partnerships with UW-Milwaukee, UW-Whitewater and Alverno College. Currently, 48% of MPS school psychologists have completed their practicum in the district.

In addition to the federal Department of Education grant, the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA) recently recognized three MPS schools—Reagan College Preparatory High School, Milwaukee School of Languages, and South Division High School—with its prestigious Program of Promise Awards. Granted to a small number of schools statewide each year, the award represents WSCA’s highest recognition for data-driven, comprehensive school counseling programs and highlights their measurable impact on students’ academic success, social-emotional well-being and career readiness.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.