Collingswood Schools Gets $1.9M Grant For Trauma Support, Mental Health Care

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — Students at Collingswood Public Schools will soon have more trauma support services and mental health resources thanks to a $1.9 million federal grant, the district said.

Superintendent Dr. Fred McDowell said the Trauma-Informed Care In Schools Grant will primarily fund a new wellness center for students at the high school. Existing space at the building will be converted, he said, and the district expects the wellness center to open to students in "late winter or early spring."

During the school day, trained professionals including two social workers, a behavioral specialist, and a nurse practitioner will be available to talk with students at the center, the district said.

“This grant will expedite our ability to meet critical mental health needs of students in a meaningful way during the school day," said McDowell, who is superintendent of Collingswood of Oaklyn Public Schools. "We’re taking a very intentional approach by integrating mental health services with specific academic support. Our students deserve this level of care and we believe it will have a positive impact on student achievement for years to come."

Members of the community will be invited to tour the new space and learn more about available services, the district said.

"There are plans to hire a social emotional learning coach and an academic intervention coach to help the secondary campus integrate social emotional learning, positive behavior support, and other evidence-based initiatives that align with student social, emotional, and mental health," Collingswood Public Schools said in a news release.

The grant is being distributed through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The district said grant funds will be awarded over a period of two years, with the opportunity to extend for up to three more years.

The district also acknowledged the grant application team for their "extraordinary efforts." That team was made up of Dr. Karen Principato, Ms. Deb Vesper, Dr. Beth Whitehouse, Ms. Kristin O'Lexy, Dr. Michael Ostroff, Mr. Dan Whalen, Ms. Anita Genca and Ms. Beth Ann Coleman, the district said.