HELENA — The Office of Public Instruction has received two grants totaling $12.25 million to improve school climate and safety and support the mental health of Montana students.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau says her office was awarded a five year, $3.75 million school climate transformation grant. The money will be used to expand the Montana Behavioral Initiative, which seeks to create a positive learning environment at schools while reducing bullying and student suspensions.
The state also received a five-year, $8.5 million Project AWARE grant to address student mental health needs.
The Butte, Browning and Kalispell schools will share $1.275 million of the grant each year in part for suicide prevention programs. The rest will be used to train instructors who can educate teachers, students and others how to help an adolescent facing a mental health crisis.