BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced the allocation of more than $5 million in grants to support behavioral and mental health services in Massachusetts schools. A total of $5,540,875 will be distributed to 60 school districts, educational collaboratives, and charter schools, including 11 districts in western Massachusetts.
The funding aims to enhance student access to mental and behavioral health services, create or expand comprehensive support systems, and foster strong local partnerships with community-based mental health agencies. This initiative is designed to address mental and behavioral health challenges, improve coordination between systems, and strengthen data systems to track the effectiveness of these efforts.
Governor Maura Healey emphasized the importance of mental health care, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, which has worsened the crisis for students. “Improving students’ access to behavioral and mental health care is a priority for our administration,” she said. “These grants will help districts connect students with the services they need to be safe, healthy, and successful both now and in the future.”
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll expressed gratitude toward the educators and community-based providers who are collaborating to improve support systems for students. “These services are essential for helping students succeed academically and develop healthy relationships with their peers and teachers,” she said.
Education Secretary Patrick A. Tutwiler highlighted that these grants are part of the administration’s broader focus on recovering from the pandemic’s lasting effects. “These grants provide our schools with the resources they need to foster environments that support healthy social and emotional development,” he said.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will also provide professional development for school district staff to ensure the successful implementation of these services.
In total, 60 districts across the state will benefit from the grants, including those in western Massachusetts, marking a significant step forward in addressing the growing mental health needs of students.
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