Michigan Section 31aa(5) — Hiring Support Staff for Student Mental Health Needs

Michigan's competitive Section 31aa(5) school mental-health staffing round opens September 1, 2026 and closes October 5, 2026. Eligible schools can use the program to hire or contract support staff for student mental-health needs.

FundingMDE confirms a competitive Section 31aa(5) round for hiring or contracting student mental-health support staff, but the current public grant spotlight does not state the round-specific funding pool or a per-applicant ceiling. Applicants should use the September 2026 NexSys application for the controlling award and budget limits.

DeadlineUpcoming — application window September 1 through October 5, 2026. MDE's public grant spotlight does not state a specific closing time.

Last verifiedAugust 30, 2026

Required next actionPrepare now for the September 1 opening. Document the need for additional student mental-health support staff, define the position and at least three meaningful duties tied to student mental health, identify the proposed hire or contracted service model, and build a sustainability plan showing how the position will continue after the grant period. On September 1, retrieve the live NexSys application and confirm the current budget ceiling and certifications before submission.

Broad Eligibility

MDE guidance states that Section 31aa(5) funds are available through a competitive process to Michigan districts, intermediate districts, nonpublic schools and the Michigan School for the Deaf for hiring or contracting support staff for student mental-health needs. Allowable staff can include psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses, community health workers, marriage and family therapists and other approved support roles.

Atlas Analysis

One of the strongest near-term school-health opportunities in Michigan because it directly funds the personnel schools need to expand student mental-health capacity. The scoring rubric emphasizes demonstrated need, a concrete position description, a future spending/sustainability plan and required certifications, so applicants can materially improve readiness before the application opens September 1.

From Funding to Implementation · School Health Solution

Turn school-health funding into a clinically capable care model.

Dr. Miltie N9+ can support clinician-directed remote exams in school settings, helping care teams move beyond video-only encounters when a funded program calls for stronger pediatric access.

Explore School-Based Virtual Exams ↗Dr. Miltie solves the healthcare problem. Atlas helps fund the solution.

Source verificationOfficial government source · www.michigan.govAtlas last verified this record August 30, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗