DULUTH, MN — The U.S. Department of Education has decided to terminate a $3.9 million federal grant that supported the College of St. Scholastica’s efforts to place master’s-level occupational therapy students into local school districts. The grant, awarded in 2022 as part of the Mental Health Service Provider program, was designed to address the growing shortage of mental health professionals and the increasing mental health challenges faced by school-aged children.
The grant, which was the largest the college had received at the time, was initially scheduled to run through 2027. However, the college was notified this week that funding will be cut by December 2025, a move that has left school officials and program directors scrambling to assess the impact on students and the community.
“We know we’re doing really impactful things, and we’re making a difference,” said Kaisa Syvaoja, the director of the program. “We’re going to rally and showcase that. We’ve had an outpouring of community support, which speaks to the impact we have.”
The program allowed St. Scholastica’s occupational therapy students to complete 12-week placements in four school districts across the region, including Cloquet, Duluth, Rock Ridge, and Superior, Wisconsin. During these placements, students worked directly with students and school administrators to provide hands-on mental health support and develop strategies for improving school environments.
St. Scholastica estimates that the program has reached approximately 5,000 school-aged children in the Twin Ports and Arrowhead regions. The termination of this funding threatens to strip these students of the critical mental health services they’ve come to rely on.
In response, St. Scholastica is actively challenging the decision. The college has engaged legal counsel, reached out to lawmakers, and filed an appeal with the U.S. Department of Education.
“We’re exploring creative options with leadership in the Northern Lights Academy, Duluth Edison Charter Schools, Rock Ridge Public Schools, and Superior Public Schools to continue supporting the program,” Syvaoja said.
St. Scholastica President Barbara McDonald expressed disappointment over the funding cut, emphasizing that the program had proven successful in meeting the mental health needs of local communities while aligning with the college’s mission of integrating classroom learning with real-world application.
“Our approach — blending academic education with community service — is both innovative and urgently needed,” McDonald said in a statement.
The program has been particularly beneficial to students struggling with mental health issues such as test anxiety and challenges related to transitions, such as the upcoming summer break. It has also provided valuable insights to school administrators on how to better manage less-structured areas, such as cafeterias and playgrounds.
Emily Kieke, a master’s student who will graduate this month, recently completed a placement at a local school, working with students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Over the course of her 40-hour week, Kieke helped students learn to identify and manage their emotions through crafts, games, and coping strategies. Students were also encouraged to modify their environments and recognize when they needed breaks to move their bodies.
“The impact has been profound,” Kieke said. “I’ve seen students forming positive friendships and using the language they learned to identify their emotions and advocate for their needs. It would be incredibly disappointing to lose the connection between the college and the schools.”
As St. Scholastica continues to push back against the federal decision, educators and community members remain hopeful that the program’s success will prompt a reconsideration of the funding cut, ensuring that the mental health needs of local students remain a priority.
