Compliance – Michigan Mental Health and Safety Funding

Explore essential resources to understand why Michigan’s new funding for mental health and school safety matters, and how it can support your school community.

Understanding the Impact of New Mental Health and Safety Funding for Michigan Schools

With mental health and school safety more crucial than ever, Michigan educators need effective resources now. The Michigan State House has stepped up, boosting the 2025 school aid budget by $126 million specifically for mental health and school safety programs.

This new funding aims to bridge gaps and enhance support systems within schools, equipping educators with the necessary resources to foster safer and healthier learning environments. While the legislation will take effect early next year, it demonstrates a strong commitment to prioritizing the well-being of both students and staff.

As schools get ready for these funds, it’s essential for educators to grasp the importance of this legislation and its impact on their communities. To equip you with the knowledge you need, we’ve compiled a comprehensive set of resources that explain the reasons behind these changes and offer information on programs designed to support the well-being of both students and staff.

Together, we can build a brighter, safer future for Michigan’s schools.

Focuses for Increased Funding

Mental Health Resources: Funding will go towards expanding access to mental health professionals, creating more robust support networks for students, and providing educators with training on recognizing and addressing mental health issues.

School Safety Initiatives: Enhancements in safety measures include additional training for staff, improved infrastructure, and resources to develop comprehensive safety plans tailored to the needs of each school community.

At Lightspeed, we believe that knowledge is power, so we’ve gathered our best resources on student safety and mental health here for you.

Student Threat Assessment as a School Safety Strategy

Retired principal of Columbine High School, Frank DeAngelis, has consulted with communities across the country following violent incidents and offers critical lessons learned from that fateful day on April 20th, 1999. From both response and recovery standpoints, this webinar dives into why student safety is as important as ever.

Six Key Domains for Comprehensive School Safety

Michelle Gay, Co-Founder of Safe and Sound Schools, outlines key areas for improving school safety: mental health, physical security, health and wellness, community engagement, leadership, and emergency management. She emphasizes the importance of resource mapping to identify gaps and the need for a collaborative, community-wide approach. The takeaway is clear: schools must focus on a comprehensive, team-based strategy to ensure safety across all fronts.

United for Safety: A Two-Part Exploration of Holistic Student Protection

This two-part series explores the crucial blend of digital and physical safety strategies in today’s educational environments. Our experts offer insights into creating a holistic safety ecosystem to address the evolving challenges of student security.

7 Strategies for Improving Student Safety with Technology

School districts across the nation face an uphill battle when it comes to providing adequate mental health and safety support to students. The Great Resignation left school safety teams short-staffed and overwhelmed—a dangerous combination as school violence is on the rise and student mental health is on the decline.

Download today (with no form required!) to learn how safety and mental health teams can use technology to improve student safety, regardless of staffing limitations.

4 Tips to Combat Student Safety Risks

This guide highlights the latest details of the online safety risks students face and the practical steps districts can take to protect students. The prevention strategies discussed in this guide can be applied in every school, for every student—no matter your district’s size or location. Download now (with no form required!) and be armed with strategies and best practices that you can put into action today!