HAMPDEN/WILBRAHAM – Development of a comprehensive social-emotional program has been underway in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD), but now, with the help of a $93,500 grant, the district can put their plans into action.

The grant, part of the Supporting Students’ Behavioral and Mental Health and Wellness grant program, was secured with the help of state Sen. Eric Lesser and state Rep. Brian Ashe. Administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the competitive grants were funded through the state’s fiscal year 2020 Supporting Healthy Alliances Reinforcing Education (SHARE) program.

The grants are designed to increase student access to behavioral and mental health services by developing integrated support systems in school districts.

“Of the 97 applications received across the state, Hampden-Wilbraham was very fortunate to be among only 39 districts receiving grant awards, and we are most grateful to Sen. Lesser and Rep. Ashe for their support of this very important initiative,” said Gina S. Kahn, director of Safe Schools/Healthy Students at the HWRSD Center for Health and Safety.

“There was already a need for increased mental and behavioral services in our school systems and that need has been compounded by the stresses and uncertainty of this pandemic,” said Lesser said in a statement. Ashe agreed.

“These grants couldn’t have been awarded at a more optimal time as students throughout the Commonwealth have seen unprecedented stresses during this pandemic,” said Ashe. “I am grateful the Hampden-Wilbraham School District will be receiving this DESE grant, as students are preparing for the start of another school session with many unknowns still lingering. Our students and children’s mental health is paramount during the best of times and we will continue to advocate for their needs now more than ever.”

Kahn said the district will use the funds for additional training on social-emotional competencies, creating lessons, and helping students build coping and stress-management skills while they re-adjust to in-person instruction. Counselors will be trained in coaching strategies and evidence-based interventions to work with students who require extra help.

“The grant will support the hiring of a part-time community resource coordinator/case manager who will be able to link families to community-based mental health supports when needs are identified, and expand the network of community referral options,” Kahn told Reminder Publishing. Through “the Hampden-Wilbraham Partners for Youth Coalition and other community agency partners, we will be offering opportunities for parent and caregiver education on topics related to social-emotional learning.”

Kahn also said that in June 2021, the district will conduct a “School Climate/Social-Emotional Learning Institute” in which they can review data from this school year and develop the goals and plans to continue moving social-emotional learning forward.