NC S745

Appropriates $87.3 million for fiscal year 2018-2019, $174.7 million for 2019-2020, and $262 million for 2020-2021 and subsequent years to the Department of Public Instruction for school counselor and psychologist positions.

Requires local school administrative units to achieve statewide ratios of one counselor per 322 students by 2018-2019, improving to 1:282 by 2019-2020, and 1:250 by 2020-2021.

Requires statewide ratios of one school psychologist per 1,234 students by 2018-2019, improving to 1:895 by 2019-2020, and 1:700 by 2020-2021.

Mandates that school counselors hired with these funds prioritize preventative and responsive services, including mental health counseling, consultation, crisis intervention, and referrals.

Effective July 1, 2018, with appropriations to be included in the state base budget for each specified fiscal year.