Nurture - sbmh

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded the Nebraska Department of Education $4.722 million on January 1, 2026 under the School Safety National Activities program (CFDA 84.184), with performance through December 31, 2026, to deliver school-based mental health services in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The award funds the NURTURE - SBMH initiative, a School-Based Mental Health Services Grant designed to increase the number of credentialed mental health services providers delivering mental health services to students in high-need local educational agencies. The Nebraska Department of Education passed funding through sub-awards to three educational service units. Educational Service Unit 16 received a sub-award dated June 29, 2026 to provide school-based mental health services across nine counties in rural Nebraska. Educational Service Unit 11, based in Holdrege and serving south central and southwestern Nebraska, and Educational Service Unit 13, located in Scottsbluff and serving western Nebraska, each received sub-awards dated June 26, 2026, also designated as School-Based Mental Health Services Grants. The educational service units operate regionally to support public school districts within their respective service areas.