PLAINFIELD — A $50,000 first-year grant will help Plainfield schools assess gaps in student mental health support and plan improvements, The Day reported Friday, November 6.
The award begins a five-year effort, rather than guaranteeing the same payment every year. The newspaper reported that later awards are expected to be at least as large but depend on annual funding.
Superintendent Paul Brenton told The Day the district already offers social workers, psychologists, counselors, behavior analysts, a health center and wellness programs. The next step is to assess those services with the Child Health and Development Institute; EASTCONN and EdAdvance will help districts coordinate implementation.
Community-provider partnerships, telehealth and staff training are possible additions described by the program, according to the newspaper. Those possibilities do not mean new services are available immediately.
The grant is part of Connecticut’s Rural Health Transformation Program. The Department of Social Services says the state received $154 million for its first year and is coordinating 30 projects across health outcomes, staffing, technology and care delivery. Its roughly $750 million five-year estimate assumes similar future federal awards.
Families seeking the district’s existing support contacts can reach its Student Services Office at 860-564-6401, the number listed on the official district website.