YAKIMA, Wash. – Educational Service District 105 (ESD 105) received a three-year grant from the Ballmer Group to enhance mental health services in South Central Washington schools. The initiative partners with the University of Washington’s SMART Center and Chad’s Legacy Project.
Focusing on prevention and early detection, the grant aims to improve access to mental health care for students. In Washington, many youths face mental health challenges with limited service access.
ESD 105 will collaborate with the UW SMART Center to train regional Educational Service Districts. Schools can apply for additional grants to adopt evidence-based strategies.
A significant part of the plan is implementing Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health (SEBMH) screening, aligning with state policy to identify student needs.
Chad’s Legacy Project will expand its mental health resources to include SEBMH tools, ensuring all districts have access to research-based strategies.
“This initiative is about more than funding, it’s about building sustainable systems of care that are centered around student well-being,” said Brandon Riddle, Assistant Director of Student Support at ESD 105.
