GUSTINE — Gustine Unified School District has been awarded $366,000 in federal funding to establish a centralized wellness center, part of a bipartisan agriculture spending package championed by Rep. Adam Gray (D-Merced).

The project, one of Congressman Adam Gray’s Community Project Funding requests, will create facilities at Gustine High School and Gustine Middle School to house school-based mental health programs. Funds will be used primarily for acquisition and installation of portable buildings, consolidating counseling and behavioral health services into a single, accessible space.

“Currently, these services are being provided across multiple locations on each campus. The wellness center will allow us to consolidate these efforts, improving accessibility, continuity of care and the overall experience for both students and staff,” Superintendent Bryan Ballenger previously told the Westside Connect.

The center will employ mental health professionals, behavior analysts and school counselors, supporting the district’s goal of educating the whole child. “By addressing mental health and wellness needs, we are removing barriers to learning and helping students fully engage in a high-quality educational experience,” Ballenger said.

Rep. Gray said the funding reflects a broader effort to bring resources to the Central Valley. “Valley families deserve leaders who work for them, not for the extremes of either political party,” Gray said. “I voted in favor of a bipartisan package which included direct support for two projects that will improve daily life in the Valley: one to expand mental health services for students in the Gustine Unified School District, and another to provide the Chowchilla Water District with resources to improve regional water safety and reliability.”

Ballenger expressed optimism about the center’s impact, noting it is expected to improve attendance, extracurricular engagement and academic performance. “Most importantly, we hope to strengthen each student’s sense of connection and belonging within their school community,” he said.

The wellness center is anticipated to open by fall 2027, pending completion of the federal budget process.