ST. PAUL, Minn. – The State of Minnesota is getting federal funding to improve school-based health services.

The funding was made available by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation aimed at curbing gun violence and mental illness in schools.

“Providing health care to students at school — where they spend a significant portion of their time — helps them thrive,” says U.S. Senator Tina Smith.  “We need to expand school-based health services to help meet students where they’re at and better support young people’s mental and physical health, and that’s exactly what this initiative will help do.  It removes many barriers to access, such as trying to figure out how to leave school in the middle of the day, and promotes health equity.”

Medicaid and CHIP cover over 41 million children and experts say some health care is easiest to provide at school, such as preventive medicine, mental health care, physical and occupational therapy, and disease management. 

“Schools provide vital mental and behavioral health care on-site to many Minnesota students,” says U.S.  Senator Amy Klobuchar.  “This grant will allow schools to do even more to provide students with the convenient and accessible support they need to do well in the classroom and live healthy lives.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid awarded the funds to support Minnesota’s plans to allow schools to provide more services to children, especially those in rural and other underserved areas.

“Schools are a critical place for reaching and supporting young people in Minnesota. With these resources, we will be able to do even more to meet the needs of students to address mental health and other behavioral health needs,” said Minnesota Education Commissioner Willie Jett and Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead.