In the News: Sen. Formica supports Youth Mental Health
April 29, 2022Sweeping investments in youth mental health move closer to law after major proposal clears state Senate
A trio of large bills aimed at addressing youth mental and behavioral health are marching through the state legislature as lawmakers seek unprecedented investments into programs and services before the session ends on May 4.
The three complimentary bills — Senate Bill 1, Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 5001 — have now all cleared their chamber of origin, following the Senate’s 33-2 vote Thursday evening to approve Senate Bill 1.
Connecticut’s Office of Fiscal Analysis estimates that Senate Bill 1 could cost as much as $175 million, and Senate Bill 2 as much as $210 million, through the 2024 fiscal year.
Despite the large price tag, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle urged support for the sweeping policies amid a described crisis in youth education and mental health.
“I did check, and I understand that all of the money is in the budget for [Senate Bill 1],” said state Sen. Paul Formica of East Lyme, a top GOP leader, who urged adoption. “It’s going to be pushed forward in a thoughtful and comprehensive way, and it’s going to be paid for in a way that’s appropriate.”
“There’s a lot of good things in this bill,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) said, “which should make the people of the state of Connecticut, very proud, that we’ve come together with this legislation.”
The bill, which originated in the legislature’s Education Committee, deals primarily with investments in mental and physical health services for students and staff in schools and pre-K settings.
“Senate Bill 1 is part of the preventative strategy, and is going to be the primary prevention bill, but it has influence and impact through the school systems as well,” said state Sen. Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), describing the legislative package as “critical.”
It includes direct salary relief for employees in early childhood care and education programs, who have been sounding the alarm about chronically low wages and a broken financial model.
During the public hearing period, program providers said the pandemic exacerbated employee turnover, as educators left for better-paying jobs elsewhere.
“It was very surprising that they were very low wages, given what the responsibilities were for these individuals,” state Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown), ranking member Education Committee.
Senate Bill 1 will invest about $70 million into the childhood care and education salary enhancement grant program, according to Sen. Doug McCrory (D-Hartford), with $50 million from the General Fund and another $20 million in carry-forward funds.
Supporting these investments “makes sense,” Berthel said.
“There is some cost associated with a lot of the ideas and the proposals in this bill,” Berthel said of Senate Bill 1. “But I can say in good conscience today that I think the money that we will spend here… will be money well spent for the right reasons, and we are again protecting and improving the investment we make as a state in our young people, who are our future.”
Anwar agreed, saying the pandemic would have been the “last nail in the coffin of this industry if we were not to intervene.”
The bill also includes a new, $1 million scholarship for minority teacher candidates to be administered by the state Department of Education, which has already taken some steps to improve teacher diversity.
Educators of color still make up just 10% of Connecticut’s teacher workforce, even though more than 47% of the state’s students are children of color.
Under the bill, students of color enrolled in teacher preparation programs would be able to receive up to $20,000. Male candidates must receive at least half of the scholarships.
“You can’t grow unless you have fertilizer,” said McCrory, a longtime educator and teacher diversity advocate.
The bill provides $10 million in need-based grants for new and existing school-based health centers, including about $590,000 to support expansion at sites identified by a legislative working group.
Anwar, a medical doctor, said the school-based model in East Hartford schools has been “instrumental and effective” in addressing children’s physical and emotional health.
Further funding is set aside for hiring and retaining school staff who provide mental health services, including social workers, counselors and nurses.
To address youth opioid use, the bill would authorize school nurses to purchase and administer opioid antagonists — including naloxone, known by the brand name Narcan — provided they receive training.
Anwar pointed out that Narcan does no harm to someone who is unconscious but not experiencing an overdose. “It’s something very basic, and that should be there [in schools].”
The bill also tasks the state Department of Education with streamlining the educator certification process. However, lawmakers rejected an amendment proposed by state Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) that would have waived certain certification fees for prospective teachers.