Finding a K-12 school psychologist or a school social worker has been a tough task for the Palmerton Area School District and many others across the state.

Palmerton plans on applying for a state grant this month, according to Superintendent Dr. Jodi Frankelli, which would provide funding for a behavior interventionist.

“It is a mental health grant and we feel this is a position where we do have a good shot of getting someone in here to fill that role,” Frankelli said at a board meeting Tuesday. “Several of the administrators met regarding the grant and we feel this would be the best use for that money if we’re successful.”

Gov. Tom Wolf announced earlier this month that $190 million is now available for school entities in the commonwealth to initiate both student mental health programming and physical security enhancements that will support long-term success for Pennsylvania students.

Of that, $95 million is included for School Mental Health Grants, part of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Mental Health & Safety and Security Program, for behavioral health programming.

School Mental Health Grants can be used to support mental health early intervention, self-care and suicide awareness, restorative justice, bullying and bullying prevention, counseling services, staff training, trauma-informed education, and more.

Palmerton plans to apply for $127,000 of the available funds, Frankelli said. The money would have to be spent by the end of July 2024.

The district also plans to apply for $127,000 out of $95 million statewide for Physical School Safety & Security Grants for the 2022-23 school year improvements.

The grants can support a wide variety of safety improvements and violence prevention programming including metal detectors, specialty trained canines, surveillance equipment, electronic locks and deadbolts, trauma kits, staff and student training programs, student discipline programming support, and cost associated with the training and compensation of school resource officers and school police officers.

“Our initial plan for that funding would be to address some concerns from our principals and add additional security cameras in our buildings,” Frankelli said. “We would look to make sure those high incident areas within our schools are covered.”

Both grant applications are due by Aug. 31.