New Initiative to Fund Early Childhood Mental Health Across MA

The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $5 million in grants to expand early childhood mental health consultation services for children, families, educators and early education providers across Massachusetts. Through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), five regional organizations have been selected to provide statewide Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) services. Franklin and Medway will be served by Empower, Inc.

The grants will help early education and care programs access specialized consultation better support children's social-emotional development, promote school readiness, strengthen classroom environments and connect families with additional services when needed. Grantees will work with programs to implement trauma-informed policies and practices, strengthen educators' ability to identify and respond to behavioral, developmental, and mental health needs, and implement evidence-based positive behavior supports. They will also help programs build stronger partnerships with families through individualized behavior support plans, referrals to community-based services, and strategies that support children's success both in the classroom and at home.

“Mental health challenges continue to affect children across Massachusetts, and these grants will help educators and families better support their mental health, improve learning and connect young children with services that can make a lasting difference,” said Governor Maura Healey.

“These grants will provide programs across Massachusetts with expert mental health consultation, giving educators and families the support they need to create nurturing, inclusive learning environments where every child can succeed,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

Mental health consultants work directly with educators, families and early education programs to strengthen classroom environments and provide evidence-based strategies that support children's healthy development. Services include educator coaching, classroom observations, behavior support planning, and connections to community-based resources such as Early Intervention, special education, and behavioral health services when additional support is needed.

"Supporting children's social-emotional development during the earliest years is essential to helping them succeed in school and in life," said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. "These grants ensure educators and families have access to the expertise and resources they need to create safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments."

"Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment where they feel safe and supported," said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. "These grants will strengthen the supports available to early educators and families across the Commonwealth, helping programs respond to children's social-emotional and behavioral needs while creating inclusive classrooms where every child — and their educators — can thrive."

The FY27 Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation grant recipients are:

Collaborative for Educational Services: $1,157,712;  Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC): $1,174,019; Empower, Inc.: $1,004,89;  Justice Resource Institute (JRI): $906,447
; and Walker, Inc.: $706,930

In addition toe Franklin and Medway, Empower also serves the cities and towns of Acton, Arlington, Ashland, Auburn, Ayer, Bellingham, Belmont, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boxborough, Boylston, Canton, Clinton, Concord, Douglas, Dover, Fitchburg, Foxborough, Framingham,  Grafton, Groton, Harvard, Hingham, Holden, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield,  Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millis, Millville, Natick, Newton, Norfolk, Northborough, Northbridge, Norwell, Norwood, Oxford, Pepperell, Plainville, Scituate, Sharon, Sherborn, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Sutton, Townsend, Upton, Uxbridge, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Webster, West Boylston, Westborough, Westwood, Worcester, and Wrentham.

Together, these organizations will provide statewide coverage and partner with licensed early education and care programs, including family child care, group and school-age programs, public preschool classrooms, and Head Start programs.

[Image from Wikipedia]