7061-0028 Social Emotional Learning Grants

For one-time grants to school districts, charter schools and educational collaboratives to adapt, expand or strengthen multi-tiered systems of support to respond to the social emotional and behavioral health needs of students, families and educators; provided, that the department of elementary and secondary education shall develop the criteria for the grants; provided further, that grants may be awarded to school districts, charter schools and educational collaboratives that: (i) integrate equitable, culturally-competent and accessible social emotional learning skills into curriculum; (ii) implement targeted and evidenced-based supports for students at risk of not reaching social and behavioral expectations; (iii) provide professional development for staff members to recognize and respond to mental and behavioral health challenges that may arise during in-person or remote learning; and (iv) solicit feedback from a culturally and regionally diverse cross-section of students, families and caregivers to ensure that social emotional learning efforts reflect the school community's values and priorities; provided further, that preference in awarding grants shall be given to applicants that prioritize racial equity and cultural responsiveness; provided further, that the department shall, to the extent feasible, take affirmative steps to ensure the success of grant recipients in strengthening multi-tiered systems of support including, but not limited to, increased outreach and administrative support; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for a pilot program to provide universal mental health screenings for students in kindergarten to grade 12, inclusive; provided further, that grants awarded through the program may be used to support costs related to implementation of screening protocols, professional development and technical assistance; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2027, participants in the pilot program shall submit a report to the department of elementary and secondary education including, but not limited to, the: (a) number of students who received mental health screenings, delineated by demographic group and grade level; (b) number of students requiring additional support or follow-up screenings; (c) length of time between the initial screening and subsequent support services provided; (d) number of students referred for additional support services outside of the school district; and (e) types of screening tools used; and provided further, that not later than September 4, 2027, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on education, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include: (1) a description of the participants in the pilot program; (2) a summary of the data collected from program participants; and (3) any recommendations to further expand the availability of mental health screenings for students