Chicopee Public Schools have been awarded $100,000 as part of a statewide initiative aimed at improving student access to behavioral and mental health services. The Healey-Driscoll administration announced that it will distribute a total of $5.54 million in grants to 60 school districts, educational collaboratives, and charter schools across Massachusetts. This funding is designed to enhance student support systems, particularly focusing on mental health and social-emotional learning (SEL) services.
Focus on Student Support and Community Partnerships
Abbey Tenczar, Chicopee Public Schools Counseling Director, highlighted how the funding will strengthen the district’s existing partnerships with local mental health agencies, such as River Valley Counseling Center. These partnerships will ensure that school-based therapy remains easily accessible to students, addressing their emotional and mental health needs in a timely manner.
In addition, the funding will support Chicopee’s continued contract with Care Solace, a mental health care coordination service that connects students, families, and staff with local mental health providers. The district is also expanding its Breathe for Change yoga and social-emotional learning workshops, which aim to foster a positive mental health environment for students.
The funds will also support the ongoing work of the Mental Health Task Force, which includes staff members, community representatives, and agency partners working together to strengthen mental health services in the district.
Training and Professional Development
A crucial part of the funding will go toward professional development for school district staff. Tenczar emphasized that staff training on a multi-tiered system of support will help identify students in need of assistance and ensure they receive the right level of intervention. This includes providing educators with the skills and knowledge to recognize and address mental and behavioral health challenges effectively.
This year, a Universal Mental Health Screener will be implemented to proactively identify students who may need additional support. Tenczar explained, “These funds directly support students by providing wrap-around mental health services, increasing access to SEL programming, and ensuring staff receive training to better support students’ emotional well-being.”
Ongoing Support and Future Initiatives
The funding will also help maintain and strengthen efforts to ensure smooth transitions between schools and communities, supporting students as they move through different educational stages. Chicopee Public Schools has received this grant for the fourth consecutive year, which Tenczar called an incredibly valuable opportunity to continue essential mental health services.
She noted, “We feel incredibly fortunate that DESE continues to recognize and support this crucial work. Without this funding, we would not be able to continue some of this essential work.”
Statewide Commitment to Addressing Youth Mental Health
Governor Maura Healey has made addressing the youth mental health crisis a priority for her administration. The fiscal year 2026 budget includes over $21 million to support student behavioral and mental health services across the state. Healey remarked, “We have a mental health crisis that was only made worse by the pandemic, particularly for students. That’s why improving students’ access to behavioral and mental health care is a priority for our administration.”
These grants are part of a broader effort to connect students with the mental health services they need, ensuring that they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Through these efforts, Massachusetts is striving to ensure the well-being of its students and prepare them for success in the future.
