University News
WIU School Psychology Program Receives $3.6 Million Federal Grant from the U.S. Department of Education
January 22, 2026
MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University's School Psychology Graduate Program has been awarded a $3,646,172 grant from the United States Department of Education through the Mental Health Service Professionals (MHSP) Demonstration Grant Program. The highly competitive MHSP program supports efforts nationwide to address the critical shortages of credentialed school-based mental health services providers, particularly school psychologists in high-need local education agencies (LEAs).
This grant is being implemented in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and will expand school psychology graduate student training to address the shortage of school psychologists in rural communities in the west-central Illinois region. Through this initiative, WIU will support a multi-district partnership focused on preparing and retaining school psychologists where shortages are most acute.
In many rural districts, school psychologists (as with teachers) are often required to take on additional responsibilities beyond their traditional role, such as serving as special education coordinators, administrators or other coordinator roles, due to limited staffing. This project will provide structured support, mentoring, supervision and financial assistance to credentialed school psychologists, while also creating a clear training-to-employment pathway for graduate students. This project seeks to train new school psychologists across a 10-district partnership with a 70% retention rate of practitioners in these area schools.
"We are really excited to partner with our LEAs that have been without an in-person school psychologist for the past few years," said Leigh Ann Fisler, associate professor and coordinator of WIU's School Psychology program. "This project allows us to offer a supported pathway for credentialed school psychologists, while enabling our graduate students to secure employment and provide long-term stability for the districts."
Funding for this grant is expected to begin in Fall 2026 and will provide training stipends for graduate trainees, stipends for credential supervisors and expanded professional development opportunities to strengthen supervision and training capacity across partner districts.
"This is an exciting and meaningful win for Western Illinois University, our School Psychology Program, and the communities we serve," said Tracy Cruise, school Psychology professor and WIU Psychology Clinic Director. "The grant recognizes the strength of our training model and allows us to expand the reach of school psychologists across west-central Illinois, where districts have long needed consistent professional support. It positions the University as a key partner in addressing workforce needs while creating lasting benefits for schools throughout the region."
To learn more about WIU's Specialist in School Psychology, visit wiu.edu/cas/psychology/ssp.php.
If you are interested in more information about the grant funding as a prospective graduate trainee or credentialed school psychologist please contact program coordinator, Leigh Ann Fisler at la-fisler@wiu.edu.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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