School-Based Behavioral Health
About the Grant
Grant Update
Kennesaw State University Expands School-Based Mental Health Workforce in Georgia through Interdisciplinary Grant Initiative
The U.S. Department of Education has notified Kennesaw State University (KSU) about not renewing the School-Based Mental Health Professional Pipeline (SMHPP) grant effective January 1st 2026. The KSU grant office and faculty team are actively finalizing grant activities and preparing all required deliverables in alignment with the project timeline through December 2025.
Who we are
Welcome to the “School-Based Behavioral Health,” a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services and the Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University.
Grant Overview
In 2023, Kennesaw State University (KSU) was awarded a multi-year federal grant, originally scheduled to run through December 2027, to expand school-based mental health services in rural and underserved areas across Georgia. Under the leadership of Dr. Monica Nandan, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Social Impact and Professor of Social Work and Human Services, an interdisciplinary team launched an innovative initiative to prepare the next generation of school-based mental health professionals. We are proud to say that our collaborative efforts had earned a prestigious Notice of Award from the United States Department of Education (DOE). This 5-year, $4.45 million project was aimed at addressing the pressing mental health challenges faced by Georgia’s children, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Mission and Purpose
Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Monica Nandan, our mission is to establish a robust pipeline of trained professionals ready to tackle the unique mental health needs of students in high-need school districts.
Primary Objectives:
- Improve Youth Mental Health: Enhance the pipeline of competently trained master social workers (MSW) students in five high-need school districts.
- Interdisciplinary Training: Train MSW students, preservice teachers (PST), practicing teachers, and public safety officers in interdisciplinary, evidence-based, trauma-informed practices.
- Cultural Responsiveness: Implement culturally and linguistically responsive trauma-informed practices in high-need schools.
Collaborative Efforts
Over five years, we aim to recruit and train a diverse group of MSW students and preservice teachers, totaling 50 MSW students and 80 preservice teachers, to implement trauma-informed practices in high-need schools. Our specialized curriculum includes intercultural competency, interprofessional collaboration, and clinical social work practice tailored to school settings.
Commitment to Service
All 50 MSW students in the SMHPP program commit to serving for at least one year post-graduation in the designated LEA districts or other agencies serving children in high-need areas.
Aligning with Legislation
This grant aligns seamlessly with the recent HB 1013 Mental Health Parity passed in Georgia. By focusing on increasing the Behavioral Health Workforce, we contribute significantly to the bill’s implementation.
Specialized Curriculum
The heart of our project lies in a specialized school-based clinical MSW curriculum. It includes intercultural proficiency, interprofessional collaboration, clinical social work practice in schools, and addressing the emotional challenges of children who have been abused or neglected.
Impact and Collaboration
Through this initiative, Master of Social Work (MSW) students at KSU received advanced training in mental health practice and participated in interprofessional field placements alongside preservice teachers. These collaborative internships emphasized culturally responsive, trauma-informed care and were designed to support existing school-based social workers and mental health professionals.
Internship placements have been established in the following school districts: Calhoun City Schools, Cartersville City Schools, DeKalb County Schools, Douglas County Schools, Paulding County Schools, Polk County Schools, and Rome City Schools. In partnership with Georgia State University (GSU), a subaward supported the training and placement of additional students in the Clayton County School District.
Making a Change
The KSU/DOE team is proud to contribute a cohort of highly trained, culturally competent, and globally minded social work professionals dedicated to strengthening mental health support systems in Georgia schools. These graduates are equipped to deliver critical resources, services, and care to students and families in need.
Thank you for your support in realizing the vision of the “School-Based Mental Health Professional Pipeline Training Program.”
School-Based Behavioral Health 