Coconino County Secures Mental Health Grants for Schools

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget has announced that the Coconino County Education Service Agency (CCESA) has received two School-Based Mental Health grants. These awards aim to improve access to mental health services for students, educators, and families across the county. The funding places special focus on rural and tribal communities that often face limited access to care.

Addressing Barriers to Mental Health Services

Many students in Coconino County struggle to receive timely mental health support. The county’s large geographic area and shortage of credentialed school psychologists create delays in care. These challenges can affect students’ academic performance as well as their social and emotional well-being.

Northern Arizona Recruitment and Retention Initiative

The first grant, valued at more than $4.3 million, supports the Northern Arizona Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NARRI). This countywide effort works to expand school-based mental health services while building a sustainable workforce. A central feature of NARRI is a partnership between CCESA and Northern Arizona University to grow the number of trained school psychologists through a local “grow-your-own” model.

Building Local Capacity Through Partnerships

Through collaboration with Northern Arizona University, NARRI focuses on recruiting, training, and retaining professionals within northern Arizona. This approach helps ensure that future school psychologists remain in the communities that need them most. The initiative aims to create long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.

Arizona Project CAN Expands Statewide Support

The second grant supports Arizona Project CAN, a statewide initiative led by the Arizona Department of Education in partnership with CCESA and Northern Arizona University. Funded by a $4 million federal grant, more than $1 million is designated for CCESA to support schools and students across northern Arizona.