TDOE Announces $10.2M Resilient School Communities Grant Available for all Tennessee Public School Districts
Funding to Increase School-Based Supports Across the State
Nashville, TN – Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the Resilient School Communities Grant opportunity is open for all Tennessee public school districts, a $10.2 million dollar investment to address needs for school-based supports, expand school-based initiatives, and increase staff capacity to best serve students.
All Tennessee school districts are encouraged to apply, and the grant awards will vary based on their application score, with all complete, qualifying applications receiving funding. The application deadline is September 8, 2022. This grant funding comes from COVID-19 relief funding via the Tennessee Department of Health to support the Tennessee Department of Education’s needs for expanded school-based supports. Learn more about the grant and how to apply here.
“For years, Tennessee school districts have worked diligently to help students overcome barriers, and Resilient School Communities grants will offer resources to help continue this work,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “We thank the Tennessee Department of Health for partnering in this work to help districts across Tennessee secure needed resources and specialized staff to support Tennessee students.”
The grant funding will cover the cost of resources to train participating districts in trauma-informed practices while receiving regional and state-level support for execution. Additionally, the grant funding will extend school-based initiatives and supports within districts through development of comprehensive school-based supports and program models, such as Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education (AWARE). Further, funding will increase staff capacity for school-based supports, including mental health support staff, such as counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and behavioral specialists.
“I applaud the work of Tennessee’s school districts and the Tennessee Department of Education in using this important grant opportunity to invest in trauma informed supports that have been shown to improve health and educational outcomes,” said TDH Commissioner Dr. Morgan McDonald, MD FACP FAAP. “By supporting schools and teachers, this funding will have resounding impacts for healthier school environments and ultimately a healthier state for years to come.”
“The Anderson County School District is very thankful for the opportunity to apply for the Resilient School Communities Grant funding,” said Dr. Tim Parrott, Director of Schools, Anderson County Schools. “If our proposal is approved, we will use the grant funds to purchase additional professional development and mental health curriculum for our teachers, counselors, and administrators. We hope with these two things we can better equip our employees to deal with the ever-growing mental health and trauma issues our educators encounter on a day-to-day basis.”
“We are very excited about this grant funding and the potential opportunities that it could provide our district,” said Dr. Versie Hamlett, Director of Schools, Fayette County Public Schools. “This grant would help us provide and create a resilient and trauma-informed district, implement restorative practices throughout the district, and create partnerships to enhance and sustain our goals.”
“Funding to build on the school-based supports districts have worked to develop since the COVID-19 pandemic is an incredible opportunity,” said Dr. Joey Vaughn, Director of Schools, Manchester City Schools. “There is an increasing need to provide students and families additional resources and the Resilient School Communities grant will allow districts to hire additional staff to better meet the needs of our community. We welcome the opportunity to expand the support our district can provide.”
For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, email Edu.MediaInquiries@tn.gov.
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