THOUSAND OAKS, CA — In a move that could significantly impact mental health services at local schools, the U.S. Department of Education has informed Conejo Valley Unified School District that its $11 million federal grant will be canceled. The grant, awarded under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, was meant to support mental health services for students, but the Trump administration has decided to discontinue funding.
The announcement, made on April 29, affects hundreds of school districts nationwide, with Conejo Unified standing to lose nearly $5 million of the awarded $11.3 million. The funding was set to provide vital mental health resources, including full-time therapists and wellness centers at all 27 schools, through 2027.
The grant, which was part of the response to the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, was aimed at enhancing safety and mental health services in schools. The legislation, which passed under President Joe Biden’s administration, includes provisions for mental health funding in the wake of school tragedies. However, the Trump administration has justified the cancellation, citing conflicts with its own policy priorities.
Federal Cancellation Cites Conflicting Priorities
The Department of Education’s letter, which was sent to Conejo Unified along with other districts, stated that the grant would be terminated because it “provides funding for programs that reflect the prior administration’s priorities and policy preferences,” and are “inconsistent with, and no longer effectuates, the best interests of the Federal Government.”
According to Heather Chamberlin-Scholle, the district’s director of mental health and wellness services, the cancellation letter was virtually identical to those received by other districts. The letter also cited concerns that the grant-funded programs “violate the letter or purpose of federal civil rights law” and conflict with the department’s policies prioritizing “merit, fairness, and excellence in education.”
Chamberlin-Scholle speculated that the references to civil rights and merit may stem from the district’s efforts to increase diversity among its mental health professionals, a requirement for the grant. She emphasized that matching students with culturally competent providers—such as Spanish-speaking therapists—has been a key part of the district’s approach.
Impact on Students and Wellness Centers
The grant has already had a noticeable impact at Conejo Unified, where mental health services have expanded dramatically. The district now employs 40 full-time therapists and 40 interns, offering services to students at all grade levels. Last year, over 1,800 students accessed therapy services at no cost, and wellness centers have become an integral part of campus life.
Newbury Park High School, for example, was able to expand its wellness center after receiving federal funding. The center moved to a larger space, providing students with a comfortable environment for therapy or simply taking a mental health break. Tracey McTigue, the school’s mental health clinician, noted that 20 to 30 students visit daily, and over 100 students are regularly seen for individual or group therapy.
Students like Harper Wilson, a senior at Newbury Park, have also benefitted. Wilson, who helped establish the school’s Wellness Club, has found the wellness center invaluable for managing the challenges of high school, including balancing academics and social pressures.
Potential for Appeal
Chamberlin-Scholle said that Conejo Unified plans to appeal the decision, hoping to draw attention to the significant role the grant has played in improving students’ mental health. “I’m just hoping that by painting the picture of how many kids we’re helping, we will hopefully get someone’s attention,” she said.
Conejo Unified, which has been a leader in expanding mental health services in Ventura County, faces an uncertain future. If the federal government sticks to its decision, the district will need to seek alternative funding sources or make cuts to its current services.
The cancellation comes at a time when the demand for mental health services in schools is greater than ever, especially following the social isolation experienced by many students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Steve Lepire, principal of Newbury Park High, noted that students’ socialization skills were severely impacted by the pandemic shutdowns. The expansion of mental health programs was a direct response to these challenges.
As Conejo Unified faces the loss of this crucial funding, it remains to be seen how the district will continue its efforts to support student mental health in the face of federal pushback.
