$ST BD ED-SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
If enacted, HB5389 aims to enhance the availability of mental health services in schools by ensuring that there are enough qualified school psychologists to support students. This legislative move is particularly crucial given the growing concerns over student mental health, especially in the wake of recent societal challenges. By focusing on recruiting and retaining qualified professionals, the bill seeks to bolster the mental health workforce in educational institutions across Illinois, thereby improving student outcomes and support services.
House Bill 5389 proposes an appropriation of $340,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois State Board of Education. The primary goal of this funding is to address the significant shortage of school psychologists within the state. The bill outlines specific methods for utilizing these funds, which include hiring or contracting a school psychology liaison, funding a program to recruit and retain doctoral interns from the Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium, and implementing a school psychologist retention program based on group consultation models.
While the bill appears to have broad support due to its intent to strengthen mental health resources in schools, there may be concerns regarding the allocation of funds and the effectiveness of the proposed programs. Critics could argue that existing funds could be better utilized or question whether $340,000 is sufficient to make a substantive impact on the recruitment and retention of school psychologists. Additionally, oversight and accountability measures in implementing these initiatives may also spark discussions among stakeholders in the education and mental health communities.