Groton Schools Receive State Grant For Mental Health Programs

GROTON, CT — The Groton School District is receiving $133,650 from a state grant program to support mental health services. The grant is part of $4.5 million in funding being released to 48 school districts and summer camp programs across the state.

The funds will be used during the summer months over a three-year period.

“Parents are deeply concerned about our youth’s mental health following an extremely challenging pandemic," state Rep. Aundré Bumgardner (D-Groton, Stonington) said in a statement. "Our students deserve year-round support, and this critical funding will help address their social and emotional needs in the summer months. The Groton School District is set to receive $133,650 over a three-year period. This funding will allow students to seek out the mental health services they need to acclimate, grow, and prosper in the classroom and beyond.”

Awarded under the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Summer Mental Health Supports Grant program, the grants for each district and summer camp program range from $12,000 to $50,000 in each of the first two years and are reduced to 70% of that amount in year three, according to a statement.

The competitive grant program is utilizing funding the state received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. This is the third of three rounds of grants the department is releasing via the federal program aimed at increasing access to mental health support services for youths in schools.

“The need for mental health support services among youths does not stop at the end of the school year, and these grants will enable these critical services to continue during the summer months,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement.