Warwick Community School has been awarded a $100,000 state grant to support the development of its comprehensive behavioral and mental health services program. The funding, provided by the Healey-Driscoll administration, will help the school district, which was established in 2023, implement a framework aimed at addressing the mental health and behavioral needs of its approximately 30 students.
Faye Brady, the special education administrator at Warwick Community School and the author of the grant, emphasized the importance of creating a strong foundation for mental health services that will support students both in and out of the classroom. “Academic success is critical, but we know that students’ social-emotional well-being and mental health are directly connected to their academic performance,” Brady said. “Our goal is to build a system that meets our current needs and is sustainable in the long term.”
Warwick was the only district in Franklin County to receive funding from the $5.4 million pool of grants, which was allocated to 60 school districts across the state. The grant will also provide professional development opportunities for staff through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler highlighted the significance of these grants in supporting the recovery of schools still impacted by the pandemic. “The Healey-Driscoll administration is focused on healing, stabilizing, and transforming our education system,” he said. “These grants are crucial in creating environments that foster healthy social and emotional development for students.”
A key component of Warwick’s mental health framework is professional development for teachers and staff, focusing on trauma-informed and linguistically responsive practices. Trauma-informed training will help staff understand the challenges students face, allowing educators to create a supportive learning environment. Linguistically responsive training will ensure that teachers can incorporate students’ cultural backgrounds into their teaching.
“We are working with our staff to help them understand the connection between students’ struggles and past experiences,” Brady explained. “Linguistic training will help us better engage with families, ensuring that our approach is meaningful and relevant to their unique needs.”
The district is still grappling with the lingering effects of the pandemic, and Brady noted that addressing mental health needs is crucial for overcoming these challenges. “The trauma from the pandemic continues to impact children and families,” she said. “Even as COVID becomes less of a concern, the psychological impact remains, and we must support our students in dealing with these lasting effects.”
In addition to mental health services, the grant will enable the school to develop a data dashboard for staff, which will track key student information such as grades, attendance, and testing results. The dashboard will also feature a parent-facing component to improve communication and family engagement. Brady stressed the importance of involving families in the students’ success, noting that the school community plays a critical role in fostering a supportive environment.
“We’re excited about this opportunity, and I’m proud to be part of a school where 100% of our staff is committed to this initiative,” Brady said.
