GUSTINE – A proposed wellness center for the Gustine Unified School District is among 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) submissions announced by Congressman Adam Gray (D-Merced) for consideration in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget.
If approved, the project would provide $665,500 to establish centralized wellness facilities at Gustine High School and Gustine Middle School, offering mental health and counseling services to students and families.
Gray’s CPF requests, submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations, aim to secure funding for community-enhancing initiatives such as infrastructure upgrades, expanded water storage and improved first-responder resources. “For too long, Washington has left the Central Valley behind,” Gray said. “Now we have the opportunity to finally bring home funding that our community desperately needs. I’m proud to submit these 15 projects that would improve daily lives in the Valley.”
Gustine Unified School District Superintendent Bryan Ballenger said the wellness center will provide critical support to students by 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,” Ballenger said.
The center will house 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. “This approach reflects our belief that student well-being is foundational to academic success.”
Students and families will be able to access services through a referral process initiated by school staff, family members or students themselves. Ballenger anticipates the center will positively impact attendance rates, 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 expected to open by fall 2027, pending final approval through the federal budget process. While the district does not currently plan to establish formal partnerships with outside healthcare providers, Ballenger said the center will maximize the impact of the district’s existing mental health staff.
Congressional appropriations remain the next major hurdle for the project, and Gray emphasized that submission does not guarantee funding. “I am committed to working toward full funding for each [project] from the Appropriations Committee,” he said.
Ballenger expressed optimism about the center’s future, noting that it has received support from both Senator Adam Schiff and Senator Alex Padilla. “Our hope is that the project will successfully advance out of committee and be included in the final federal budget,” he said.
If approved, the wellness centers at Gustine High and Gustine Middle will provide a centralized, structured environment for students in need. Ballenger said that while the district did not initially set out to create a model for other districts, he welcomes the possibility that Gustine’s approach could inspire similar initiatives elsewhere.
“We simply wanted to enhance the services we provide and ensure greater access and support for our students and families,” he said. “That said, if our approach proves successful and can inspire or inform similar efforts in other districts, we would certainly welcome that outcome.”
The CPF process, which began in 2022, allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that serve their communities. Gray’s FY26 submissions will undergo committee review and, if selected, will be included in one of 12 federal funding bills.
For now, Ballenger and Gustine Unified remain in a waiting phase. “We are highly optimistic about the project’s prospects,” he said, “but several steps remain before full funding is secured.”
