Sen. Somers: $$ for school mental health specialists will benefit eastern CT students

For Immediate Release

Sen. Somers: $$ for school mental health specialists will benefit students

Sen. Heather Somers, the Ranking Senator on the Public Health Committee, today applauded the release of state funding for area school districts to support the hiring and retention of school mental health specialists for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 school years.

“This funding for eastern Connecticut schools will enhance socio-emotional learning while bolstering the emphasis on mental health and wellness in our learning environments,” Sen. Somers said. “It’s exactly what our schools need.”

• Groton School District was awarded a total of $232,200
  
• Plainfield School District was awarded a total of $162,000
  
• Preston School District was awarded a total of $139,860
  
• Voluntown School District was awarded a total of $67,905
  
• Sterling School District was awarded a total of $279,342
  
• Stonington School District was awarded a total of $114,750
  

The competitive grant program is utilizing funding the state received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This is the second of three rounds of grants aimed at increasing the number of mental health workers in schools that are being administered by the state using ARPA funding.

Mental Health America recently named Sen. Somers as a “2023 Mental Health Legislative Champion” in recognition of her support and advocacy for mental health policies.