Groton To Receive $232,200 For School Mental Health Specialists

HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker announced the release of $15 million in funding for 72 school districts across Connecticut to support the hiring and retention of school mental health specialists for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 school years.

Awarded under the Connecticut State Department of Education’s School Mental Health Specialists Grant program, the grants for each district range from $25,150 to $120,000 in each of the first two years and 70 percent of that amount in the third year. The competitive grant program is utilizing funding the state received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. This is the second of three rounds of grants aimed at increasing the number of mental health workers in schools that are being administered by the state using ARPA funding.

“Every child deserves essential support for behavioral health services, and through the release of these grants we are able to assist more school districts in hiring mental health workers,” Lamont said. “Making these resources available in schools is a way we can easily and directly connect children and teens with the support they require.”

State Rep. Aundré Bumgardner and state Sen. Heather Somers applauded the grant funding.

"The state is answering the call to help children following the unprecedented learning challenges from the pandemic," Bumgardner said.

“This funding for eastern Connecticut schools will enhance socioemotional learning while bolstering the emphasis on mental health and wellness in our learning environments,” Somers said. “It’s exactly what our schools need.”

Grant awardees will be required to attend a training this month and complete the compliance documents for the use of ARPA funding. A notification for the training will be sent to the grant awardees.

“This funding will enable schools to hire dedicated school mental health professionals, ensuring students have the vital support they need," Russell-Tucker said. "With this investment we are building a safer, nurturing environment where students can excel academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Together, let’s forge a stronger, healthier future.”

Groton School District

$86,000 for 2024

$86,000 for 2025

$60,200 for 2026

$232,200 Total