K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund

In 2021, Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly made a historic investment in mental health services and supports for Tennessee children and youth. By creating the $250 million K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund, Tennessee is expanding mental health services for school-aged students through a systemwide, evidence-based approach now and for generations to come. Proceeds from the trust fund investments have been reinvested across the state and are already paying dividends for Tennessee students and families.

Earnings from the trust fund were budgeted to TDMHSAS starting in FY24 for both recurring and non-recurring usages.  The recurring funds are used to support additional positions through the School Based Behavioral Health Liaison program. Non-recurring infrastructure funding is awarded through a competitive AOF process to Community Mental Health Centers which work in partnership with local school districts.  This funding can go to training in various evidenced based therapy modalities, infrastructure components to make spaces more confidential and to support calming spaces, as well as evidenced based curricula.

Charting the Impact

The map below shows Tennessee counties where school districts have partnered with community mental health providers to use infrastructure grant funds to benefit students and families.