Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced that more than $8.6 million in competitive grants will be awarded to 64 school districts to assist them in providing mental health support and other wraparound services to students and families. The Indianola, Johnston and Urbandale districts were the only Greater Des Moines districts to receive grants. The funds are provided through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, which is part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act passed in December 2020. Governors in each state were granted a share of discretionary dollars to address critical needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 130 grant applications were received. Funding will be distributed equitably across awardees based on district-certified enrollment for 2020-21 school year unless an applicant requested a different amount. Applicants had to demonstrate unique student and family mental health needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority consideration was given to applicant districts proposing to provide direct mental health services to students and families. The list of the 64 school districts along with their intended award amounts is available at this link on the Iowa Department of Education’s website.