Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
Federal funding totaling $4,790,545 will be directed to South Texas schools over the next four years to expand student mental health services, following a successful grant application by Region One Education Service Center. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education through its Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Program.
The award was announced by Vicente Gonzalez, who said the funding is intended to address the shortage of credentialed school psychologists in rural and underserved areas of South Texas. For Fiscal Year 2026, Region One will receive $1,198,055 as part of the multi-cycle, four-year grant.
“School should be safe havens where students feel empowered to seek support for the challenges they may face at home or in the classroom,” Gonzalez said. He added, “Strengthening the pipeline of trained psychologists in rural areas who can provide early identification and assistance to the mental health needs of a child makes all the difference.”
Region One Education Service Center applied for the federal grant and will oversee the implementation of the program across 34 campuses, serving nearly 16,000 students in the Rio Grande Valley and surrounding areas. The initiative focuses on recruiting, hiring, and training credentialed school psychologists to meet growing student mental health needs.
“With this funding, we will ensure that every student—regardless of zip code—has the trusted support and tools to succeed in life,” Gonzalez said.
The program will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and other partners. Participating school districts include Mercedes Independent School District, Raymondville ISD, and Rio Hondo ISD.
According to program details, the initiative will initially recruit and onboard 10 new school psychologists, with two additional psychologists added each year. It will also provide training opportunities for educators through fieldwork and credit-bearing learning experiences, expand practicum and internship placements, and strengthen clinical practice through professional development and targeted skill training in behavioral and mental health services.
The funding represents a coordinated effort at the federal, regional, and local levels, with the U.S. Department of Education providing the financial support, Region One leading the application and implementation, and Congressman Gonzalez promoting the need for increased mental health resources for students in South Texas.
