PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Education has been awarded a four-year, $7.2 million Project Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education federal grant to expand mental health services in the Chariho, East Providence, Newport and Warwick school districts, Gov. Daniel J. McKee announced Wednesday.
The funding is from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Project AWARE, McKee’s office said, helps increase awareness of mental health issues among school youth and provides school personnel training to detect and respond to mental health situations.
This new funding is the latest in a series of grants the state has received to address mental health within local schools. RIDE in September 2021 received a $9 million grant to expand mental health services in the Cranston, West Warwick and Westerly schools, a few weeks after the state got $1.8 million in federal money to help schools address mental health needs.
Then back in September, Emma Pendleton Brady Hospital was awarded a five-year, $8.6 million federal grant to help provide mental and behavioral health services in schools across the state.
McKee said Wednesday in a statement the new grant is a “major step” in improving and expanding youth services” across the state. “My administration is committed to prioritizing mental health, building partnerships, and working together to address the critical needs of our youth,” he said.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
