Aid for School Mental Health Programs

Eligible school districts, Private School Choice Program Schools, and independent charter schools may receive partial reimbursement for salary and fringe benefits paid to employ, hire, or retain social workers or the costs to contract for the services of a social worker when the eligible entity increased in its expenditures in the prior school year compared to the immediately preceding school year.

Overview

Eligible entities must submit a claim form each spring in order to receive reimbursement for eligible expenditures made in the preceding school year. Though claim forms must be submitted online, there is a pdf version of the claim form to provide an example of information being requested.

*The most recent payments were processed mid-June each year.

Statute Reference

Wis. Stat. § 115.364

Administrative Code sec. PI 31

Funding

$12,000,000 annually as allocated in the state budget.

Eligibility

Eligible independent charter schools, Private School Choice Program Schools, and school districts are eligible for partial reimbursement for salary and fringe benefits paid to employ, hire, or retain social workers or the costs to contract for the services of a social worker when the eligible entity increased in its expenditures in the prior school year compared to the immediately preceding school year.

“Social worker” means an individual licensed or certified as a school social worker by the Department of Public Instruction under s. PI 34.062 or an individual licensed or certified as a social worker by the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board under s. 457.08 (2) to (4), Stats.

Aid Computation

Eligible entities must submit a claim form to the department for reimbursement. Aid is calculated by multiplying by 50% the increase in expenditures from the prior school year compared to the immediately preceding school year. If monies remain in the appropriation, after initial calculations, eligible entities will receive an amount equal to expenditures in the preceding school year less the amount of increased expenditures for which the entity was reimbursed in the first calculations. If funds are insufficient the state superintendent shall prorate state aid payments.