Hamilton county schools school psychologist recruitment and retention initiative

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded $4,981,374 to Hamilton County Board of Education on January 1, 2026, under the School Safety National Activities program (CFDA 84.184) to fund the School Psychologist Recruitment and Retention Initiative.

The award supports expansion of mental health services in underserved areas through recruitment and retention of school psychologists. Hamilton County Schools, the fourth largest school district in Tennessee, operates the initiative across 78 schools serving approximately 45,000 students in Chattanooga and surrounding Hamilton County communities. The district employs nearly 2,800 full-time teachers and delivers pre-kindergarten through grade twelve education to urban, suburban, and rural populations.

The School Safety National Activities program aims to improve student safety and well-being during and after the school day. The Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration Grants component, under which this award was issued, addresses the shortage of credentialed school-based mental health services providers, specifically school psychologists, in high-need local educational agencies.

The award period runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Place of performance is Chattanooga, Tennessee. The award is contingent upon availability of funding and satisfactory performance. Grant recipients must maintain records for three years in accordance with applicable federal regulations.