Excelsior Springs School District (ESSD) has made significant strides in supporting student mental health and well-being using funding from the Clay County Children’s Service Funds to implement prevention, counseling and intervention services.ESSD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Christen Everett provided an overview of how these initiatives have positively impacted students across the district during a recent Excelsior Springs Substance Abuse Free Environments (SAFE) meeting.With a student body of 2,630 across six school buildings, the district has prioritized mental health services as a core component of student success. In the 2023-24 academic year, ESSD was awarded $1,014,772 in grant funding, nearly all of which – 99.3% – was spent on mental health programs.These funds supported a variety of initiatives including individual and group therapy, expressive therapies and preventative programs designed to foster resilience ...