District wins $395,000 stronger-connections grant for parent mental-health supports; enrollment down slightly from last year
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Summary
Administrative Services Director Hezekiah Massey III reported a $395,000 state grant to fund parent-focused mental-health services, crisis-management hires for attendance zones and training; he also reported a current enrollment of 4,213 students, down 144 from the same date a year earlier.
Administrative Services Director Hezekiah Massey III told trustees Chester County School District was selected for a state “stronger connections” subgrant with requested funds of $395,000 to support parent mental-health resources, crisis-response staffing and training.
The grant, Massey said, will pay for a parent-facing, on-demand mental-health counseling platform and for three crisis-management positions (one per attendance zone) to support principals, counselors and therapists in responding to student crises. He said a portion of the funds will be dedicated to training and other resources for staff to address student behavior and social-emotional needs.
“Within the grant funds, we're we'll get final guidelines on the parameters for the use of those funds,” Massey told the board, adding the district will follow state guidance on distribution and timing.
Massey also reviewed recruitment for the district’s Parents as Partners virtual series (Zoom sessions on topics such as vaping, nutrition, healthy relationships and substance prevention) and said district communications are used to publicize dates and materials.
On enrollment, Massey reported the district’s sixteenth-day count: 4,213 students this year compared with 4,357 on the same date last year, a decline of 144 students. He said the district had gained four students since the Friday prior to the meeting and that enrollment figures often change through Labor Day and at the state verification points (the 45th and 130th days).
No board action was required at the meeting; Massey said the district would provide further grant guidance once the state issues final parameters.