Bill > SB5666

This bill establishes a public school-based mental health internship grant program to address the shortage of school psychologists in Washington state. The legislature recognizes that school psychologists are crucial for supporting student learning, mental health, and behavior, but currently face a significant staffing shortage. The proposed program will provide financial support to attract and pay full-time school psychology interns through competitive grants. These grants will cover up to 75 percent of an entry-level salary for interns enrolled in accredited school psychology training programs and placed in schools with qualified supervisors. The Washington Student Achievement Council will administer the program, coordinating with school districts, educational service districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools to identify internship opportunities. An advisory committee will be established to provide recommendations on internship funding and best practices, including representatives from school psychology programs, teacher preparation programs, and diverse communities. The bill also requires annual reporting on program outcomes, including data on school psychologists employed in the state, grant applicants, awarded grants, and demographic information about grant recipients. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the current and projected shortage of school psychologists and improve mental health support in educational settings.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5666&Year=2025&Initiative=false