BOSTON — Behavioral Health Network, Inc., which services communities in Berkshire County, received a $772,706 grant to support mental health among young children.

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that they are awarding $4.1 million in Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grants to organizations that support the social-emotional development and behavioral health of children in early education and care programs across Massachusetts.

 

This funding will go to six organizations that serve early education programs by training providers and improving program processes to promote the developmental, social-emotional, and behavioral well-being of infants and young children in their care. 

 

"We have a mental health crisis that has only been made worse by the pandemic, particularly for our youngest kids," said Governor Maura Healey. "Our administration is continuing to help break down the stigma behind seeking treatment while ensuring that Massachusetts residents know how they can access the health care and support they deserve—no matter how small. These grants will provide early education and care programs with the tools and resources needed to help educators identify kids struggling and support families in accessing help." 

 

Examples of the services and supports these grantees provide early education and care programs include improving policies, procedures and practices to be trauma-informed and center the social-emotional and behavioral well-being of children; developing strategies for staff self-care; strengthening skills to identify children with or at-risk for behavioral, developmental, or mental health difficulties and supporting the implementation of positive behavior interventions and supports using evidence-based practices. These mental health grantees will also help early education and care programs build stronger relationships with families to support children both in the classroom and their homes, including with individualized behavior support plans for children and referrals to other community-based services. 

 

"The Healey-Driscoll Administration is focused on healing, stabilizing, and transforming our education system that is still recovering from the lasting impacts of the pandemic. With these early education mental health grants, we can support the critical infrastructure of mental health service providers that uplift our youngest children, their families, and their educators.," said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. "The path to well-being and stability is a slow one, but with this funding we will make inroads in our pursuit to improve mental health for all of our students."