(KIWA Staff Photo)
George, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — George-Little Rock Community School District is among 10 Iowa districts awarded state funding to establish therapeutic classrooms for students whose emotional or behavioral needs may affect their success at school.
The Iowa Department of Education announced Wednesday that more than $2.35 million will be distributed through its Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant program for the 2026-27 school year.
George-Little Rock said the grant will help ensure learners with varying needs have the space and tools necessary to succeed. The state did not include an individual award amount for the district.
Supporting Students’ Individual Needs
Therapeutic classrooms provide safe, supportive environments for students who need additional emotional or behavioral assistance. Services may include skill building, help coping with stress and trauma, mental-health treatment, crisis intervention, and follow-up support.
Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said therapeutic classrooms across the state offer vibrant, safe, and healthy learning environments tailored to students’ cognitive and behavioral needs. She also commended districts and community partners for their work in treatment, crisis prevention, and intervention.
More than 200 Students to be Served
The 10 awarded districts plan to establish 19 new therapeutic classrooms serving more than 215 pre-K through 12th-grade students across 15 counties.
Northwest Iowa districts Spirit Lake and Storm Lake are also receiving funding. Other recipients include Cedar Falls, Lewis Central, Oskaloosa, South Tama County, United Community, Van Buren County, and Winterset.
The program was established through legislation signed in 2020 as part of a statewide effort to address mental-health needs among children, youth, and families. The upcoming school year marks the sixth year grants have been awarded.
Applications were competitively scored, with priority given to returning applicants that had not previously received funding and first-time applicants. The selected districts represent all seven of Iowa’s Behavioral Health Districts and include small, medium, and large school systems.
Districts will begin implementing the grant-funded programs this fall.
