Agenda Item
b. GaDOE Mental Health Grant Awards and Mental Health Services Provided by Cartwheel (Collectively Not to Exceed $1,040,000)
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Ateshia Lester, Acting Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the use of Cartwheel as an approved vendor to provide Mental Health Services directly to students in grades 6-12 (not to exceed $880,000) and approve the acceptance of $160,000 ($20,000 each) for 8 charter schools to provide direct services for students.
Why: Georgia's FY26 state budget established $19.6 million for student mental health services and supports. At its August 20, 2025 meeting, the State Board of Education approved state mental health grant funds for school districts on a state-defined formula of $20,000 to each middle school and high school.
DCSD would like to utilize Cartwheel to facilitate comprehensive mental health support for staff and middle and high school students. The costs to receive services from Cartwheel will not exceed $880,000, the total of the 2026 GaDOE grant award. The grant funds will provide direct services for students and accept $160,000 ($20,000 each) for 8 charter schools to provide direct mental health services for students at their individual school.
Details: This document provides relevant information about the allowable use of funds and reporting requirements for Georgia's school districts utilizing the state mental health grant funds. Cartwheel has an approved contract with the State of Georgia. eRFI 41400-DOE0000094
https://login.community.gadoe.org/documents/student-mental-behavioral-health-services-grant
Financial impact: There is no Financial Impact.
Contact: Mrs. Ateshia Lester, Acting Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678.676.0542
Dr. Kishia Towns, Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678.676.1913
Dr. Marcia Oglesby, Director of Grants & Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, 678.676.0375
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Telehealth Vendor List
The vendors listed below responded to GaDOE’s Request for Information (RFI) during the designated
submission period. The purpose of the RFI was to gather information on potential service providers,
offering a starting point for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) seeking these services. LEAs that
choose to implement telehealth services using the Student Mental/Behavioral Health Service Grant
may consider vendors who participated in GaDOE’s RFI process.
Please note that this information is provided for reference only and should not be interpreted as an
approval, recommendation, or endorsement of any vendor.
Each vendor’s RFI submission is linked in this document.
A & R Clinical Services Crisis Management ESE Mental Health LLC
Atrium Health - Behavioral Health Service Line Gaggle
Backpack Healthcare Goshen Valley Foundation, Inc
Cartwheel Care Grace Harbour Inc
Chris180 Hazel Health, Inc
Daybreak Health NE Beautiful Mind
East Chester Family Services Preventive Measures
Eluma Timely Care
Uwill
LEAs can only spend Student Mental/Behavioral Health Services Grant funds on the activities
outlined in the Student Mental/Behavioral Health Services Grant Overview. The restrictions do
not apply to the use of other funds by LEAs for mental health purchasing or programing. Grant
funds should supplement, not supplant local, state, and federal funds for mental health services.
Georgia Department of Education
Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr. SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
www.gadoe.org @georgiadeptof
ed