Lamont Governor Announces Grant Recipients for School Mental Health Workers

press release

2023/02/02

Lamont Governor Announces Grant Recipients for School Mental Health Workers

State releases first round of three grants to use ARPA funds to increase numbers of mental health workers in schools

(Hartford, Connecticut) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that under a competitive state grant program that will be used to hire and retain mental health workers in schools in 2023, 2024 and 2025, Announced $5 million in funding for 20 school districts in Connecticut. School year.

Administered by the Connecticut Department of Education, School Mental Health Worker Grants are funded by funds received by the state from the Federal American Rescue Plans Act (ARPA), which was approved by Congress in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m here. This is the first of three grants aimed at increasing the number of mental health workers in state-managed schools using ARPA funds. The second round, the School Mental Health Specialists Grant, will soon offer a total of $15 million in grants. In a third grant program, he will provide $8 million for summer camps and summer programs in schools to support mental health.

Prize money for each district in this first round ranges from $101,973 to $324,000. Preference was given to districts with a high ratio of students to school mental health workers and high student utilization of school mental health services.

Governor Lamont said:“Connecticut continues to provide critical resources for hiring mental health workers for schools, which is especially important today due to the pandemic and the impact of social isolation on children and teachers. These grants are an important step in our mission to ensure that every child and educator in our state has access to the mental health services they need to succeed and thrive.”

Connecticut State Board of Education Charlene M. Russell Tucker said:“The pandemic has affected Connecticut students not only academically, but socially and emotionally. This investment will help our school hire additional school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists to help us address non-academic barriers to learning. We are proud to support this important work.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal“There is no doubt that these funded health professionals will make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children and teachers in our state. At this time of need, I’m proud that Connecticut is committing federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to increase Connecticut student access to these critical services.”

US Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) said:“With nearly 80% of young people nationwide unable to access the mental health care they need, school-based mental health services play a key role in removing barriers to access to care and treatment. passed the American Relief Plan to ensure communities have the resources they need to meet the unique challenges they face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. , Middletown, Portland and Wethersfield school districts will have the resources they need to invest in recruiting and retaining mental health providers who provide quality care to their students.”

US Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) said:“While it is now well known that America’s youth need more access to mental health care and counseling, there have been years of severe shortages of school-based mental health services across the country. These Federal American Rescue Plan funds will help reverse this trend in eastern Connecticut.The Rescue Plan will direct federal resources to state and local communities when they need it most. The funding will help local school districts in Hebron, Mansfield, East Hampton, East Haddam, and Stonington acquire the tools, professional staff, and programming they need to provide their students with the mental health resources and support systems they need. It will be available.”

US Congressman Rosa De Lauro (CT-03) said:“Over the past two years, isolation, school closures, economic insecurity, unemployment, and learning challenges have significantly exacerbated existing mental health challenges and created new barriers to treatment. The Health Workers Grant will provide schools with the right tools, staffing, and educational programs to address these issues for youth.I have been a strong advocate of increased investment in mental health services. This funding will advance a path towards providing complex and compassionate care in our school system and will help shoulder the burden of teachers, administrators and parents to provide the health care our students really need. helps reduce the

US Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) said:“It is these kinds of investments that are why Congress passed a relief plan for America to help rebuild from the devastating effects of the pandemic. We support students struggling with mental health, and we are pleased that significant funds have been invested in building a stronger support system within District 4.”

US Congressman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) said:“As students continue to recover from the most traumatic of educational disruptions, they need support services that are strong, reliable, and accessible. We are grateful that we are using funds from the plan to serve our students directly, and we are working to bring more mental health workers into schools to help children recover from the pandemic and provide a safe learning environment. It is imperative that we bring you to

Recipients of the School Mental Health Worker Grant are:

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