Athol and other North Quabbin communities are included in a Massachusetts plan to spend nearly $5 million on behavioral health support for young children, their families, and educators.
State officials say the funding targets a crucial period in childhood, when early help can make a lasting difference.
Here's what to know
In July, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced its FY27 awards for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation services. The Department of Early Education and Care selected five regional organizations, and the Athol Daily News reported that the Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton received $1,157,712 to serve Athol, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, and Winchendon.
Through the program, consultants partner with licensed early education programs, educators, and families, offering help such as classroom observations, training, coaching, and strategies tailored to each site's needs.
"One of the increasing needs we've heard from our educators, as well as our program directors, is just the increase in behavioral health needs among children in the classroom," EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw said.
Officials said the effort is intended to support children while also easing pressure on teachers and helping more kids remain engaged in the classroom with their peers.
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More background
According to state officials, the need for this kind of assistance has become more apparent in recent years, especially around self-regulation and social-emotional development. Aimee Smith-Zeoli, behavioral health supervisor for EEC, said those trends predated the COVID-19 pandemic and that programs are also serving more children with special education needs.
Kershaw said providers that use the consultation program have reported fewer children leaving classrooms and lower staff stress and turnover.
Officials also said the funding carries particular weight in western Massachusetts and in rural places like Athol and the North Quabbin, where behavioral health services are harder to find.
Getting support early can also reduce obstacles later, especially when children move into new school settings or need better coordination between home and the classroom.
What's being done?
Petersham Montessori is one nearby school that has already taken part in the state's Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program. Head of School Cheryl Calcari said the school has referred children for extra support, and consultants only step in after families agree.
With that approval, consultants can watch children in the school environment and also work with families at home.
Calcari said the school met with them monthly to review progress and consider whether strategies used in class could also help at home.
"What happens in the school and what happens in the home are always two different things," she said.
Calcari said consultants also helped one child prepare for a move into public school by taking part in meetings and helping the transition go more smoothly.
Smith-Zeoli said that sort of direct support can help the adults around a child, too: "When they feel like they are empowered to provide kids with what they need in the classroom, then everybody does well."
Calcari said parents should know they are not alone when a child has behavioral needs.
"I think the biggest thing is parents need to know that they're not the only ones in that situation. They're not the only family that has a child with behavioral needs."
She added, "I just think that it's a really great program."
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