The Iowa Department of Education today awarded over $2 million in competitive grants to eight school districts to establish therapeutic classrooms for learners whose emotional or behavioral needs impact their ability to be successful in their learning environment. Two area schools will receive grants: Cherokee Community School District and Spencer Community School District.
According to Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow,Therapeutic classrooms across Iowa provide vibrant, safe and healthy learning environments that best support students’ individual cognitive and behavioral needs.
The Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant was established through state legislation signed into law in 2020 and is part of a statewide effort to increase mental health supports for children, youth and families. Now in its fifth round of funding, the awardees may use the grants to establish new classrooms or enhance critical components into current classrooms or programs that are being developed as therapeutic classrooms. Therapeutic supports include such things as skill building, support to cope with stress and trauma, mental health treatment and crisis intervention and follow-up.
Proposals submitted by the eight awarded districts will serve over 150 pre-K through grade 12 students, establish 17 new therapeutic classrooms and will expand mental health supports for youth across eight counties located in five of the state’s Behavioral Health Districts.
Grants will be distributed this fall for district implementation during the 2025-26 school year.
