(photo) Sen. Somers Applauds Mental Health $$ for Groton, N. Stonington, Plainfield, Sterling School Districts

For Immediate Release

Sen. Somers Applauds Mental Health $$ for Groton, N. Stonington, Plainfield, Sterling School Districts

Sen. Heather Somers today applauded the release of funding for area school districts and summer camp programs to support the delivery of mental health services for students during the summer months over a three-year period.

The funding includes:

$133,650 for the Groton School District

$108,333 for the North Stonington School District

$49,578 for the Plainfield School District

$135,000 for the Sterling School District

“This funding for eastern Connecticut schools will enhance critical mental health services in the summer,”  said Somers, who is Ranking Senator on the legislature’s Public Health Committee and was recently nationally recognized for her work on mental health policy. “Improving mental health services has been a priority of mine in the Public Health Committee. We must continue our focus on socio-emotional learning while bolstering the emphasis on mental health and wellness in our learning environments. I will continue to advocate for these smart mental health investments.”

The state Department of Education is using federal COVID-19 relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund the three year grants.

Attached photo:

Sen. Heather Somers speaks to Mental Health America (MHA) on Aug. 15 at MHA’s Regional Policy Council Legislative Awards Lunch in Indianapolis after being named a “2023 Mental Health Legislative Champion” in recognition of her support and advocacy for mental health policies. MHA is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all people.