§ 3436 — Mental health critical need reimbursement program

(a) It is the purpose of this program to encourage school-based employees to become licensed mental health providers and remain school employees.

(b) To be eligible for this program, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Be a full-time employee of a Delaware public school district or a charter school.

(2) Enrolled in a credit-bearing program intended to lead to certification or licensure appropriate for a full-time mental health services provider as required by the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.

(3) Have signed a written commitment to work in a Delaware school for at least 3 years after receiving the certification or licensure for which they receive reimbursement under this section.

(c) An eligible institution of higher education is an in-state or out-of-state regionally accredited college or university.

(d) (1) Reimbursement will be provided to eligible institutions for up to 6 credits of approved coursework that meets Department of Education requirements.

(2) Reimbursement funds shall be distributed to the institution of higher education upon course completion with a 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for credit bearing courses or an equivalent passing grade in a noncredit-bearing course. Eligible institutions must verify enrollment and course grades prior to disbursement of funds.

(3) Funding may not exceed the cost of tuition and fees or the equivalent at the highest cost public institution in Delaware. If funding exceeds the appropriation, eligible institutions of higher education will be awarded funds in a prorated share of the applicant pool.

(4) The Department may set aside funds as available for school employees meeting these criteria as demand requires.

Legislative History

84 Del. Laws, c. 350, § 2