James Maroney

Senator Maroney Welcomes $433,933.20 In Local School Mental Health Specialist Support In District In Next Three Years

Today, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) welcomed the state’s announcement that $433,933.20 in state support will be released to schools in the 14th 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.

“Our local schools are dealing with the fallout of the increases in anxiety and depression among children ever since the pandemic,” said Sen. Maroney. “The addition of necessary resources allows for the continued support of students in need. I am grateful these funds will be used to support mental health specialists in schools.”

“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:

Orange, $249,763.50; Region 5, $184,169.70.