Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) welcomed the state’s announcement this week that $535,037.40 in state support will be released to schools in the 33rd 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.
“For several years now, we’ve known that youth are struggling with their mental health more than in past years, and we need to work to aid them however we can,” said Sen. Needleman. “I’m relieved that these funds will support the hiring of mental health support staff who can help meet students in need where they are in the classroom.”
“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:
East Haddam Public Schools, $135,405; Old Saybrook Public Schools, $189,032.40; Westbrook Public Schools, $210,600.