The University of Iowa has announced a $15 million gift from the Scanlan Family Foundation in support of the Iowa Center for School Mental Health in the university’s College of Education.

The largest gift in the history of the College of Education will be used to expand clinical support for school mental health in collaboration with the Belin-Blank Center, which works with gifted students through programming, research, and advocacy. To that end, the new center aims to provide social, emotional, behavioral, and psychological services to schools, not only to aid in COVID-19 recovery but also to build capacity for immediate and future delivery of mental health supports across the state. In recognition of the gift, the center is expected to be renamed the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health, pending approval from the board of regents.

“This transformational gift from the Scanlan Family Foundation builds on the great work of the Belin-Blank Center and strengthens the Iowa Center for School Mental Health’s clinical services and programs that support mental health needs,” said College of Education dean Dan Clay. “This gift will focus on serving schools and the needs of veterans, those serving in the military, and their families. We know military families often need additional supports around mental health and well-being.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Katarzyna Bialasiewicz)