NC S567

Appropriates $40,000,000 in recurring funds to the Department of Public Instruction for 2023-2024 to establish a School Mental Health Grant Program providing grants to public school units to contract with mental health support personnel.

Prioritizes grant awards to school units with greater proportions of students having limited or no access to mental health services, including uninsured students and students with disabilities.

Appropriates $50,000,000 in recurring funds to establish a Mental Health Worker Loan Repayment Program administered by the State Education Assistance Authority, providing grants covering 20% of eligible workers' student debt.

Restricts loan repayment program eligibility to psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, or nurses employed full-time in development tier one or tier two areas who graduated from University of North Carolina institutions, with maximum awards available for five years.

Requires annual reporting to legislative committees on grant recipients, funding amounts, services purchased, and recommendations for improving mental health services in schools and increasing eligible mental health workers in high-need areas.