John Cornyn
Special to the NEWS
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Earlier this week, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released a statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced that Region One Education Service Center was awarded a federal grant of $1,198,055 through the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Demonstration Grant Program, which helps recruit, train, and employ mental health service providers in schools to address the mental health crisis affecting youth and to implement evidence-backed mental health services for students.
“Schools remain one of the most consistent and accessible places for students to receive mental health support, yet they often lack the appropriate staffing or resources necessary to respond to the growing complexity of students’ needs adequately,” said Sen. Cornyn.
“These critical resources will help close this gap by increasing the recruitment, training, and retention of mental health professionals in schools, ensuring they are better equipped to identify signs of crisis,” he added.
A significant share of MHSP funding was authorized by Sen. Cornyn’s school safety and mental health legislation, signed into law in 2022 and representing the largest investment in community-based mental health care in U.S. history.
This award is one of 65 grants that the Trump administration is encouraging recipients to focus on “merit-based personnel hiring and evidence-based student services.” The purpose of the grants is to hire more school psychologists and build the necessary infrastructure so mental health resources can continue beyond the grant period.
Senator Cornyn, a Texas Republican, is a member of the Senate Finance, Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, and Budget Committees.
In other Region One news this week, the Region One Education Service Center announce a vacancy on the Board of Directors, Place 2.
Region One ESC is accepting applications for Board of Directors, Place 2 which represents Jim Hogg, Starr, and Zapata Counties.
The appointment will fill the unexpired term that ends May 31, 2026.
Qualified community members who are strongly committed to public education and service may apply online at www.esc1.net/boardapp.
Eligibility requirements include: Must reside within the ESC region and in the Place 2 geographical area (Jim Hogg, Starr, or Zapata Counties); Must be a U.S. citizen; Must be at least 18 years old; Must submit a completed application; Must provide a current resume; Must be willing to undergo a criminal background check.
To hold the office of board member, a candidate may not be engaged professionally in pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade education or be a member of a board of any educational agency or institution other than the State Board of Education.
Candidates must submit a resume online by 5 p.m. on January 6, 2026. For questions or additional information, contact 956-984-6005 or email aiglesias@esc1.net.
Region One Education Service Center (www.esc1.net) serves more than 422,000 students and educators across seven South Texas counties.
Region One assists school systems in improving student performance, operating efficiently, and implementing initiatives mandated by the legislature or the Texas Commissioner of Education.
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