Westlake outlines use of student wellness and success funds to support nurses and social workers

Paul Wilson, presenting on student wellness and success funds and disadvantaged pupil impact aid at the Westlake City Schools Board of Education meeting on June 27, said the district has used those state-provided funds primarily for mental-health services and physical-health staffing.

Wilson said the district partnered with the Educational Service Center (ESE) of Northeast Ohio and Crossroads Health to deliver services in schools. "So through this partnership, we were able to focus on 2 areas, physical safety and mental health services," Wilson said.

Key facts: Wilson said the total cost of the covered services was about $264,000. Of that, roughly $181,000 was charged to the combined student-wellness and disadvantaged-pupil funds; the district reported an $83,000 net impact to the general fund for the services described.

Program rules: Wilson read the program guidance to the board, noting that districts must use at least 50% of those funds for mental-health or physical-health services and must develop plans in collaboration with community mental-health and substance-use providers.

Next steps and uncertainties: Wilson said both funding streams have been available to the district for about four years but the district is still monitoring whether the programs will continue in future state budgets; he said the district used a "pay-ahead" approach this year and will await state budget details to confirm funding beyond the current year.

Ending: Board members asked clarifying questions about which grants will continue; Wilson said both funds are available for the coming year but that the district is watching the broader state budget for confirmation.