ISU awarded $4.5 million grant to transform mental health in schools
Published at
The following is a news release from Idaho State University. | EastIdahoNews.com file photo
POCATELLO –– As Idaho faces a critical shortage of school psychologists and the growing youth mental health crisis, a new project seeks to provide solutions to these challenges.
Idaho State University’s school psychology program recently received a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to bolster mental health education and support for K-12 students and teachers across Idaho.
The grant, titled, “Empowering Mental and Physiological Well-being (EMPWR); EMPWRing Idaho’s Youth,” was awarded to ISU School Psychology faculty, Dr.’s Joel Bocanegra, Howard Fan, and Erika Coles.
Through the EMPWRing grant, eligible full-time students majoring in school psychology at ISU will receive full tuition coverage for up to three years, including a comprehensive internship in their final year. In exchange, graduates will commit to serving high-need K-12 school districts in Idaho for three years post-graduation, ensuring their expertise directly benefits local communities.
“This initiative isn’t just about increasing numbers—it’s about creating a sustainable and culturally relevant pipeline of mental health providers who are deeply connected to the communities they serve,” said Dr. Joel Bocanegra, Chair of the ISU School Psychology Department at ISU.
Currently, the student-to-school psychologist ratio is one to 1,700 which exceeds the recommended ratio of 1 to 500. Project EMPWRing plans to bridge the gap by preparing more highly-trained and qualified school psychology candidates to graduate and work in urban and rural K-12 districts. Seeking to equip schools with the resources needed to foster student well-being and success, the EMPWRing grant is supported by various school districts across Eastern Idaho, including the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District, American Falls School District, Bear Lake School District, Cassia County School District. It also features support from the College of Southern Idaho.
The ISU School Psychology program courses are offered synchronously with a new cohort starting each summer. It is also accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The stackable, 3-year program allows students to complete the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Psychology Examiner degree and then enter the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology program to become a nationally certified school psychologist. The program enrolls 8-12 students per year with a preference given to those with an education or psychology bachelor’s degree. Upon successful completion, candidates will be eligible to complete testing and earn their licensure credentialing.
“Project EMPWRing will help K-12th grade schools improve mental health services by training mental health providers from within their own communities,” said Dr. Bocanegra. “This grant is more than providing students with tuition coverage. Project EMPWRing is about changing lives for all.”
Additionally, this grant comes after Coles, associate professor of school psychology, was awarded a $100,000 grant in 2023-2024 from the Idaho Department of Education to establish a community-wide suicide prevention model that would allow individuals the resources and tools necessary to reach out to loved ones or peers in times of distress. Dr. Coles partnered with the ISU Institute of Rural Health, the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, AmeriCorps, and Sources of Strength for this program.