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

State Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock), a medical doctor who serves on the legislature’s Public Health Committee, today applauded the recent 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 northeastern Connecticut schools addresses a pressing and ongoing need in our education system, and we are grateful,” Senator Gordon said. “The need for more mental health specialists is something I hear frequently when speaking to educators, administrators, and parents.  I look forward to visiting these schools to meet the new hires and to gather input from our communities on additional ways to strengthen and enhance the educational experience throughout our schools. The mental health of our students and their needs will continue to be a top priority for me as this region’s state senator.”

Local state grant funding includes:

• Coventry School District: $123,700
• Ellington School District: $324,000
• Thompson School District: $319,844.70
• The Woodstock Academy District: $162,000
• Tolland School District: $165,391
• Vernon School District: $323,003
• Willington School District: $217,007.10

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.