Grant will provide social emotional support for Springfield students in Empowerment Zone

The Springfield School Committee unanimously approved a grant for $100,000 from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support students’ social emotional learning and behavioral and mental health. The grant is a capacity building grant for the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) schools. Matt Brunell, co-executive director for the partnership, said the funding from this grant will go to three key areas. The funds will help the organization fund individuals that will screen students for social emotional well-being and multi-sensory issues. Secondly, the grant will help schools launch a culturally responsive and anti-racist social-emotional learning curriculum. Lastly, the grant will also provide funding for the professional development of counselors within SEZP. Read more.