MIAMI – In an effort to bring more school psychologists and social workers to Miami-Dade County schools, FIU was awarded $6 million.
“To [mental health] the crisis is continuing and getting worse,” says psychologist Philip Lazarus, associate professor in FIU’s School of Education and Human Development.
Lazarus says that since the pandemic, children have struggled to develop their social skills and are experiencing more stress and anxiety.
“Youngsters in third grade…have the social skills of a first grader,” Lazarus says. “We thought with time, they would catch up… but it’s not an easy fix.”
School psychologists have been working to help these students – but the system is weak.
In Miami-Dade alone, there is one school psychologist for every 1,598 students.
Social worker? One, for every 2,492 students.
“That number is crazy, it’s been like that for decades,” Lazarus says. “But now that society is focused on mental health, the need is more apparent.”
FIU received a $6 million grant to help recruit people into their school psychology and social work graduate programs.
Funds will go to students and help pay for tuition and scholarships.
“As you know the cost of living is much higher in Miami-Dade,” says FIU School Psychology program director Andy Pham. “We emphasize that they will succeed.”
Upon graduation, they would immediately have a job within the Miami-Dade County School system.
“We need a lot more help for all kids in today’s schools,” says Lazarus.
For more information about the program, Click here.
