GOOD NEWS: Local schools to get $5 million for mental health support

Staff reports  |  The Charleston County School District (CCSD) will receive almost $1 million a year for five years to expand mental health support for children through a Project Prevent grant from U.S. Department of Education.

“The need for additional social-emotional and mental health support has been recognized and supported by the CCSD Board of Trustees and the superintendent,” Jennifer Coker, the district’s executive director of Alternative Programs and Services said in a press release. “The school district has adopted mission-critical action items to address community needs. This grant allows CCSD to expand resources in our highest-need schools.” 

This summer, while gun violence in North Charleston made the news, a group of educators gathered to do something to help children who are traumatized by community violence. After meeting with police, they identified three North Charleston neighborhoods in which 3,500 school-aged children live: Charleston Farms, Chicora, and Dorchester Terrace.

According to the release, the group realized that school staff needs to know how to detect trauma in children, schools need counselors and staff trained to treat trauma, and schools need to teach children skills to prevent violence. 

“Our educators experience first-hand the negative impacts that exposure to trauma can have on students’ learning,” said Lisa Allison, director of Intervention and Psychological Services. “The Project Prevent grant will greatly enhance the mental health supports available to children and families in our neediest communities.” 

The U.S. Department of Education offers the grant funding to school districts every five years. In 2019, the department released funding to just 16 districts throughout the U.S. 

“Receiving funding for mental health and teaching our youth how to resolve problems without using violence will greatly enhance our students’ social and educational achievements,” one principal said. “What a marvelous project – a project which is greatly needed.”

Candidate news

Williamson returns to Charleston area Oct. 8. Businesswoman and author Marianne Williamson will attend The Post and Courier’s Pints and Politics 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at Palmetto Brewing Co. in Charleston. Learn more.  

Warren attends Clyburn town hall Oct. 9. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren will attend a town hall 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Dr. Barbara A. Vaughan Fine Arts Center Recital Hall in Orangeburg. The event is hosted by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. The event is free but RSVPs requested.