(WVLA) – A prestigious $9 million grant was awarded to Louisiana’s Department of Education to bolster mental health services for students across the Bayou state Monday. 

Officials tell WVLA the multi-million dollar grant will also go towards amplifying health development and preventing youth violence among scholars.

This allocation was provided by the Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education (Project AWARE) grant through the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

“In order to truly serve every child, every day, we must understand and meet their learning needs, as well as their social and emotional needs,” said State Superintendent John White.

“Through Project AWARE, Louisiana has the opportunity to develop and implement practices to better accomplish this in struggling schools across the state.”

The newly implemented programs will be prioritized in 34 struggling schools in the City of Monroe, Jefferson Parish and St. Bernard Parish school systems.