State Halts Plans To Eliminate School Mental Health Program In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — In a major victory of students and advocates, the state has decided to halt the elimination of school-based mental health programs.

This means, the popular BRIDGE program from South Brunswick will remain operational, Superintendent Scott Feder told the community during last week’s Board of Education meeting.

“He (Gov. Phil Murphy) has agreed to continue funding those programs for our district. That means maintaining and keeping the BRIDGE Center opened,” Feder said.

Last week, the state announced it will proceed with its plan to form the NJ Statewide Student Support Services network and will continue funding school-based mental health services to minimize disruption to services the students receive.

“As a firm believer in the importance of addressing the mental health needs of our youth, I understand just how essential it is to provide young people with the support they need during these challenging times,” Murphy said in a statement.

“In connection with the announcement and launch of the groundbreaking NJ4S program, my Administration has listened to educators, students, community members and other interested parties about this proposal and appreciate the input we have received. We look forward to continuing to hear from communities and work with stakeholders to advance this new model of care and provide critical services to students in every corner of our state.”

More:

South Brunswick Schools Challenges State Cut To Mental Health Programs

Schools Could Lose Mental Health Center Funding In South Brunswick

In the 2023-24 academic year, the state is seeking to create regional “hubs” of mental health services. As a result, the school-based youth services program will be defunded. The regionalized “hub” model will be operated by the state Department of Children and Families.

But now, schools will continue to receive funding for the 2024 school year. But by July 1, all schools will have to follow new "standardized reporting requirements, monitoring requirements, and program expectations.”

However, the battle is far from over. The Superintendent told the community, that the school district’s goal was to convince the state to continue the funding every year.

“We have to come out and put on the gloves and start fighting about this to convince them,” Feder said.

“They should be replicating programs like the bridge Academy across the state, and figure out ways to fund those programs not continuously threatening to dismantle them. So that's our next big push.”

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