(BOSTON 8/28/2023) — Last week, Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw announced the six recipients of the FY24 Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) Grant, including an award of $602,242 to Community Healthlink of Worcester. The grant, funded by the Massachusetts State Budget passed by the Legislature, aims to fund mental health consultation services for children to help them address developmental, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Providing this support will support healthy development, reduce the suspension and expulsion rate in early childhood and care settings, and promote school success.
“Providing mental, emotional, and behavioral support to young children who need it is critical to setting our youth up for lifelong success in school, at home, and beyond,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I am pleased that Commissioner Kershaw and the Department of Early Education & Care have selected Community Healthlink to receive this generous grant to connect children in Central Massachusetts with mental health counseling. I’m hopeful that the legislature will continue to fund programs like these.”
"We are in a time of mental health crisis and providing the necessary support to organizations equipped to do the work of caring for our youngest residents is vital," said Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester). "As an advocate for early childhood resources – supporting the health and wellbeing of every child – I am thrilled to see Community Healthlink receive this grant to directly help children with the tools needed for a successful transition into adolescence and adulthood."
Community Healthlink is a community-based provider of mental healthcare for children, families, and adults. The organization provides care through a wide variety of programs, including in-home therapy services, mobile crisis intervention, support services for children with disabilities, counseling for survivors of abuse, and more. Their service area includes much of Central Massachusetts. Community Healthlink is a division of UMass Memorial Health, Central Massachusetts’ leading healthcare system.
The FY24 ECMHC Grant was awarded to five other organizations, including Behavioral Health Network, Inc. of Springfield, Enable, Inc. of Canton, Justice Resource Institute, Inc. of Needham, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children of Lexington, and Walker, Inc. of Needham.
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