For Teri Putnam, bringing mental health services directly into the classroom is more than just a policy goal; it is the culmination of two decades of professional experience. As a licensed clinical mental health counselor and addiction specialist, Putnam understands that schools are far more than centers for academic learning. They are environments where children eat, socialize, and grow, making them the ideal entry point for youth mental health interventions. By integrating these services into the daily school routine, North Carolina has moved away from fragmented and reactive responses toward a more holistic approach to student well-being.
This transformation was fueled by Project AWARE, a federal grant program administered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Starting in 2018 with an initial 8.8 million dollar investment, the project launched in Beaufort, Cleveland, and Rockingham counties. Following early successes, the program expanded in 2021 to include Jackson, Nash, and Sampson counties. Under the joint leadership of Putnam and Heidi Austin from the Department of Public Instruction, the initiative has successfully embedded mental health language into the educational culture across these six districts.
Beyond direct student care, Project AWARE tackled systemic hurdles that previously blocked districts from hiring necessary staff. One of its most significant achievements was establishing official job descriptions and competitive pay grades for licensed clinical mental health counselors within the state’s employment structure. Previously, while districts could technically employ clinicians, there was no standardized framework to do so effectively. This shift allows these professionals to provide long term clinical care for high needs students, complementing the preventative support offered by traditional school counselors and psychologists.
The impact of this federal funding now extends far beyond the original pilot sites. Because the administrative frameworks created by Project AWARE were approved by the State Board of Education, every school district in North Carolina can now utilize these mechanisms to hire specialized mental health staff. As state leaders apply for another round of funding to potentially launch a third cohort of districts by 2026, they are building on a foundation that has permanently changed how North Carolina views the intersection of education and emotional health.
