The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has been awarded a $1,174,019 grant to provide Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation services in Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Saugus, and Swampscott.
The grant is a part of the FY27 Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation grants awarded through the Healey-Driscoll Administration. It is a part of a $5 million grant program to expand early childhood mental health consultation services for children, families, educators, and early education providers across Massachusetts.
“Mental health challenges continue to affect children across Massachusetts, and these grants will help educators and families better support their mental health, improve learning, and connect young children with services that can make a lasting difference,” Gov. Maura Healey said.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children aims to protect and promote the rights and well-being of children and families, according to its website.
MSPCC has an office at 330 Lynnway, Suite 300; it can be reached at 781-586-8350.
MSPCC’s work focuses on “preventing or mitigating the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, neglect, household substance abuse, household mental illness, and domestic violence. By promoting social and emotional learning and supports for children, as well as tools to improve parents’ skills,” according to its website.
Through the Department of Early Education and Care, five regional organizations have been selected to provide statewide Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation services, including the Collaborative for Educational Services, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Empower, Inc., the Justice Resource Institute, and Walker, Inc.
“These grants will provide programs across Massachusetts with expert mental health consultation, giving educators and families the support they need to create nurturing, inclusive learning environments where every child can succeed,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said.
Mental health consultants work directly with educators, families, and early education programs to strengthen classroom environments and provide evidence-based strategies that support children’s healthy development. Services include educator coaching, classroom observations, behavior support planning, and connections to community-based resources such as Early Intervention, special education, and behavioral health services when additional support is needed.
“Supporting children’s social-emotional development during the earliest years is essential to helping them succeed in school and in life,” Education Secretary Steve Zrike said. “These grants ensure educators and families have access to the expertise and resources they need to create safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments.”
