News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — In conjunction with School Counseling Week, the Indiana Department of Education recently announced recipients of $5 million in funding, which will support 26 school districts, charter schools and community partners, including Caston School Corporation of Fulton County and Twin Lakes School Corporation of Marshall County.

This funding will further develop and expand school counseling services and resources that improve student achievement, well-being and college and career readiness.

A full list of school districts and partners receiving the Comprehensive School Counseling Grant can be found here. Successful applications specified how grant funding would improve counselor-to-student ratios and establish or further strengthen partnerships with community organizations and employers.

“School counselors are uniquely positioned to provide students with a number of important services, including guidance in completing all necessary courses and other graduation requirements, encouraging exploration of career and postsecondary opportunities and overall well-being support,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “The recipients of this grant understand the importance of comprehensive school counseling and the range of support our students need in order to reach their full potential. With this additional funding, they will be better equipped to support the needs of their community, and ultimately, move the needle for their students.”

To further support student achievement, well-being and college and career readiness, IDOE identified three key goals when establishing the Comprehensive School Counseling Grant:

• Expand the number of Indiana schools providing a comprehensive school counseling program;
• Explicitly define the role of a school counselor in improving student outcomes as it pertains to the five student characteristics of Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed;
• Create a network of progress monitoring to assess effectiveness and identify areas in need of additional local support and guidance.

Funding for the Comprehensive School Counseling Grant is allocated as part of the state’s federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief plan. Through this grant, more than 117,000 students across 17 Indiana counties will be supported.

To learn more about Indiana’s Model for Comprehensive School Counseling, click here.