Senator Moore Welcomes $406,976.40 In Local School Mental Health Specialist Support In District In Next Three Years

Today, State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) welcomed the state's announcement that $406,976.40 in state support will be released to schools in the 22nd Senate District to support the hiring and retention of school mental health specialists for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 school years. These grants were spurred by the passage of key legislation passed in 2022 by Senate Democrats, supporting youth mental health amid increasing reports of challenges students face today.

“Children deserve to have accessible mental health care and a place and/or person they feel comfortable going to,” said Sen. Moore. “Increasing mental health specialists in our schools is a great place to start. Children everywhere should have the resources available should they need to access it. Mental health is so important as it creates the foundation for one’s well-being."

“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,” Governor 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.”

The following school systems will receive mental health support funds for the 2024 through 2026 school years, with the values representing the total amounts provided in that time:

Great Oaks Charter School, $244,976.40; Bridge Academy, $162,000.