School psychologists for healthy, equitable, and resilient education (SPHERE)

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded $5.25 million to Sumter County Board of Education on January 1, 2026, under the School Safety National Activities program (CFDA 84.184) to implement the School Psychologists for Healthy, Equitable, and Resilient Education (SPHERE) initiative. The award supports activities to improve students' safety and well-being, with performance extending through December 31, 2026, at the recipient's location in Americus, Georgia. The School Safety National Activities program funds education-related services including counseling and mental health support to local educational agencies in which the learning environment has been disrupted by a violent or traumatic incident, and authorizes demonstration grants and school-based mental health services grants to address the shortage of credentialed school-based mental health services providers, specifically school psychologists, in high-need districts.