Graduate-level students from three metro Atlanta universities will help Clayton County Schools address the mental health needs of young people in the south metro Atlanta district.

Students from Georgia State, Kennesaw State and Clark Atlanta universities will work in six Clayton schools to provide mental health support for youngsters, the district says. The goal of the pilot program, which is being funded in part by an $8 million federal grant for the U.S. Department of Education, is to grow the child behavioral health workforce in Georgia.

“We are excited about entering this partnership and the potential positive benefit it will bring to our students and their families,” Interim Clayton Schools Superintendent Anthony Smith said in a release.

Clayton officials said it estimates that 200 district students could receive mental health services through the pilot. That number, the district said, could grow depending on how many students from the three universities participate.

About the Author

Keep Reading

People line up outside the federal building in Atlanta that houses an immigration court and ICE office. Several cases in the court are at the center of a disciplinary proceeding against Norcross immigration lawyer Christopher Taylor. (Ben Hendren/AJC 2025)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Featured

The city of Atlanta opened Azalea Fresh Market downtown to help residents find affordable groceries. (Natrice Miller/AJC)