Massachusetts grants 5M for early childhood mental health

The Healey‐Driscoll Administration has announced 5 million in grants to expand early childhood mental health consultation services, Boston WWLP. com reported July 8. The Department of Early Education and Care will distribute these grants to five regional organizations. The funding aims to help early education and care programs access specialized consultation, support children's social‐emotional development, and promote school readiness. Grantees will assist programs in implementing trauma‐informed policies and practices, work to strengthen educators' ability to identify and respond to behavioral, developmental, and mental health needs, and implement evidence‐based positive behavior supports. The regional organizations will also help programs build stronger partnerships with families.