Newtown Schools Score State Money For Mental Health Programming

NEWTOWN, CT — The State of Connecticut has awarded the Newtown School District a grant to support the delivery of mental health programming for students during the summer months over the next two years.

The $84,943 grant was part of more than $2 million in grants for 36 school districts and summer camp programs announced by Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday.

Awarded under the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Summer Mental Health Supports Grant program, the grants for each district and summer camp program range from $17,000 to $85,000.

This competitive grant program is utilizing funding the state received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. This is the third of three rounds of grants the department has issued with ARPA funding that are aimed at increasing access to mental health support services for Connecticut’s youths. Eligible costs incurred beginning in summer 2024 through summer 2025 are reimbursable under this grant program.

The funding will support mental health services for students during the summer by partnering with Connecticut local and regional school districts, youth camp operators, and other summer programs through summer 2025. This grant is an extension of the Summer Mental Health Grant Program issued in 2023 for three years, which provided $4.5 million to 48 school districts and summer camp programs.