For fiscal year 2008, 35 REACh grant projects have been awarded for a total of $1,269,876. The 2008 project will involve 62 school districts encompassing 193 schools. Each school will receive mentor support and a minimum of $5,000 in financial assistance to implement the REACh framework components.

Of the 193 schools receiving grants, 106 were involved in the REACh grant project in 2007. Regionally, the percentages of schools receiving grant funding are: 23% Southeast-Central; 33% Southwest-South; 33% Northeast-Central; and 22% Northwest-North Central.

Mandatory grant compliance this year includes all schools participating in either a Beginning School Implementation or Framework Appraisal workshop. All schools must also submit the following data pieces: REACh Action Plan, special education prevalence and referral data, intervention and prevention methods (schools in year 2), and an end of year grant activities report. In addition, representatives from all schools must attend a REACh Poster Showcase.

Schools that were involved in a REACh grant project in 2007 but did not receive a REACh grant for 2008 have been provided the opportunity to continue working with a REACh mentor in 2008. Forty-one schools requested continuing mentor support. This option will only be available in 2008.