STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut's School of Social Work is receiving a $587,633 grant to strengthen and expand mental health treatment and support that is available to residents.
The funding will help build creative partnerships, train school-based mental health services and increase the number of mental health professionals that are available to address what has become a significant need in Connecticut schools.
The Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Program will provide the funding. The grant program exists to support the growth of a skilled behavioral health workforce that can aid children and teens across the country.
The grant was announced on Friday by two elected officials from Connecticut, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and U.S. Rep. John Larson (CT-01).
In a release from DeLauro, she said mental health is critical for the well-being of the state’s students. To tackle the mental health crisis, DeLauro believes Connecticut needs a strong and capable workforce of mental health professionals that are ready to provide comprehensive care and support in the state’s schools and communities.
“With this funding, UConn can continue to develop a strong pipeline of mental health professionals who can ensure our students have access to the mental health services they need,” DeLauro said. “I proudly fought for a $74 million increase for awards in two critical programs, the School-Based Mental Health Services Grants and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grants, which are critical to addressing the youth mental health crisis in our communities.”
DeLauro pledged to always work to make sure Connecticut’s youths have the resources necessary to succeed and live healthily.
Larson pointed out that one in six youths in the United States experience mental health illness each year. He said growing the country’s mental workforce and prioritizing the well-being of its children and adolescents has never been more important. It starts in Connecticut.
“Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Rosa DeLauro on the Appropriations Committee, we have worked to increase federal funding for training and workforce development in the health care field,” Larson said. “This new grant will support programs at UConn to train mental health care providers and ensure our schools have the personnel and resources needed to support students of all ages.”
The funding will help UConn's School of Social Work develop a strong workforce of school-based mental health service providers and help the university recruit and train mental health professionals, which will put more people in the field who can make a difference.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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