Bridgeport Public Schools Announces Enhanced Partnership

News release from the Bridgeport Public Schools:

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport Public Schools leaders, alongside representatives from Effective School Solutions (ESS), state legislators, and other city and state officials, gathered this month to celebrate the strengthening of a vital partnership aimed at enhancing mental health support in Bridgeport schools. This collaboration addresses the increasing mental health challenges students face and is a key part of a long-term strategy to provide sustainable, cost-effective solutions for emotional and behavioral well-being.

The partnership between BPS and ESS focuses on creating a comprehensive mental health continuum, prioritizing inclusion-based practices while ensuring students receive the necessary support within their school communities. This initiative responds to the rising number of students dealing with mental health challenges, chronic absenteeism, and behavioral issues.

The collaboration directly addresses key challenges facing Connecticut school districts, including the need for specialized mental health services, rising costs of outplacements for students with high needs, and scalable models for effective support.

Key Outcomes of the BPS-ESS Collaboration:

• Direct Clinical Care and Wraparound Services: ESS provides intensive Tier 3A clinical care to students in need, with a 10-person team supporting 147 students across six high-need schools.
• Professional Development & Coaching: ESS is training and coaching Behavioral Learning Center (BLC) staff, equipping them with tools to support students’ mental health needs.
• Outplacement Reduction and Consultation: ESS is identifying students who may benefit from returning to district programming, reducing costly outplacements. This has already resulted in 35 students returning or being removed from out-of-district programs, saving an estimated $2.7 million.
• Mental Health Continuum Consultation: ESS is helping BPS develop and implement best practices for school-based mental health care.

Key Results from the Initiative:

• Absenteeism: 73% of students with chronic absenteeism have significantly reduced their absences.
• Behavioral Improvement: 70% of students with disciplinary issues have seen a significant decrease in incidents.
• Academic Performance: 69% of students with GPAs below 2.0 have either maintained or improved their GPA.
• Parent Satisfaction: 93% of parents/caregivers reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the support their children have received.

"This partnership with ESS is a game-changer for our district," said Dr. Royce Avery, Interim Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools. "By integrating mental health services within our schools, we are addressing critical needs and ensuring our students have the support to succeed both academically and emotionally. This collaboration is a model for how we can create lasting impact."

Bridgeport Public Schools is committed to continuing this work, building a sustainable and inclusive support system that will ensure students in Bridgeport receive the mental health services they need to succeed.

About Bridgeport Public Schools:

Bridgeport Public Schools serves over 20,000 students across 40 schools, providing a world-class education through innovative programs and strong community partnerships. Visit www.bridgeportedu.net for more information.