Representative John W. Mannion Announces New Federal Funding to Expand School-Based Mental Health Support in Syracuse City Schools

SYRACUSE, NY - Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) today announced $4 million in federal funding for the Syracuse City School District through the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program to expand access to mental health support for students and families.

The grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Education and supported by Representative Mannion, will provide approximately $1 million per year over four years to fund a partnership between the Syracuse City School District and SUNY Oswego to train, recruit, and hire school psychologists and help address the urgent need for school-based mental health professionals in Syracuse schools.

Representative John W. Mannion said, "Students today face unprecedented pressure and mental health challenges. It's important our schools have the trusted adults, trained professionals, and resources they need to help every student succeed. This federal funding will help Syracuse City School District and SUNY Oswego train, recruit, and hire school psychologists so more students can get support where they are - in school."

Superintendent Pamela Odom said, "This investment will help ensure more Syracuse students have access to the mental health support they need to learn, grow, and thrive. We are grateful to Congressman Mannion for recognizing this need and helping us build a stronger future for our students and families."

The Syracuse City School District is the fourth-largest school district in New York State and serves students and families with significant unmet mental health needs. The new partnership with SUNY Oswego is intended to expand the pipeline of credentialed school psychologists while supporting immediate student needs in the district.

The new award builds on prior work the district has done to support mental health through its three existing school-based mental health clinics and two satellite clinics.

The announcement builds on Representative Mannion's broader work to strengthen student mental health services. During Mental Health Awareness Month, Representative Mannion introduced two bills to improve mental health support for students from elementary school through college.

The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act would establish grant programs to help states and local educational agencies increase access to school-based mental health services providers in high-need schools. The legislation supports efforts to recruit and retain qualified professionals and move schools closer to nationally recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per school counselor, 500 students per school psychologist, and 250 students per school social worker. The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR).

The bipartisan, bicameral Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act would direct the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, to encourage colleges and universities to develop evidence-based comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans. The bill is co-led in the House by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and has a Senate companion led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).