Action 1.
AMENDED Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting - 1:00 pm
County Schools
- Meeting Date:
- 02/10/2026
- Title:
- Year 2 of the School Based Mental Health Grant
- Submitted By:
- Kimberly Madden, County Schools
- Department:
- County Schools
Presentation:
PowerPoint
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature NOT Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Cynthia Meyers
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Outreach Manager
Mandated Function?:
Federal or State Mandate
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
You will use this Agenda Item template if your item involves a Grant (whether a new or renewal grant). You also must attach the Grant Approval Form to the item before Finance will approve it. Select the SPECIAL LINKS on your left-hand menu and Click on "Grant Approval Form". Then complete the form, save it and attach it to your item (on the Attachments tab).
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve year 2 of the Cochise County Education Service Agency's School Based Mental Health grant, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, in the amount of $322,268.
Background:
The Cochise County Education Service Agency aims to continue to create a network of support that reaches every corner of the county, providing comprehensive assistance to both rural and urban areas.The objective of the School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) Funding is to alleviate the strain caused by the insufficient number of mental health providers in Cochise County, while ensuring equitable access to and participation in mental health services for all students in the region. The Cochise Educational Service Agency (ESA) will work to increase the number of mental health providers in Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that have demonstrated a need for these services. To achieve equitable access, the County Superintendent of Schools is committed to reducing the student-provider ratio from 804:1 to 459:1 in districts with an established need. Mental health providers will deliver services to any Cochise County school lacking adequate on-site support and will strategically allocate resources to underserved areas. The Sheriff’s Office CARE Team will be able to provide comprehensive care by serving at-risk students with extended services to family units outside of the school setting. Dr Brunacini will also provide clinical supervision and training to the SBMH providers hired under this funding.
Deliverables in year 2:
CochisESA will continue to identify LEA’s in Cochise County with a demonstrated need for mental health support and will hire 1 school based mental health counselor and a clinical mental health provider. Services will begin within 45 days of staff onboarding to ensure students have timely access to mental health services in the school environment, during year 2.
In-Kind Services
Year 2 in-Kind is 25%.
In-Kind services from the Sheriff’s Office CARE team will be accrued at the hourly pay rate.
The Easterseals Blake Foundation will provide training from a licensed therapist and space for trainings for a total of $21,000.
Community mental health agencies will supply in-kind support for referral services, training, and crisis response throughout the length of the grant.
Deliverables in year 2:
CochisESA will continue to identify LEA’s in Cochise County with a demonstrated need for mental health support and will hire 1 school based mental health counselor and a clinical mental health provider. Services will begin within 45 days of staff onboarding to ensure students have timely access to mental health services in the school environment, during year 2.
In-Kind Services
Year 2 in-Kind is 25%.
In-Kind services from the Sheriff’s Office CARE team will be accrued at the hourly pay rate.
The Easterseals Blake Foundation will provide training from a licensed therapist and space for trainings for a total of $21,000.
Community mental health agencies will supply in-kind support for referral services, training, and crisis response throughout the length of the grant.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Hire a mental health counselor and a clinical mental health provider.
Continue to gather needs assessment information by utilizing the S.H.A.P.E System, identify barriers, develop strategies, continue to cultivate collaborative partnerships with other mental health service providers in Cochise County, and implement strategies.
Continue to gather needs assessment information by utilizing the S.H.A.P.E System, identify barriers, develop strategies, continue to cultivate collaborative partnerships with other mental health service providers in Cochise County, and implement strategies.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
Many areas in Cochise County face significant challenges in accessing mental health services. The mental and behavioral health needs of our youth have created barriers to learning, increased incidents of bullying and self-harm, and pose challenges for school safety. Without the School-Based Mental Health funding, Cochise County will continue to lack sufficient mental health services to support our student population. Barriers to learning will intensify within the classroom, and students will struggle to navigate daily learning and important life skills.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
None required.