The Social Emotional Learning Grant, established under Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024, is designed to improve the capacity of educational institutions in Massachusetts to implement initiatives focused on student mental health. This grant facilitates the piloting of universal mental health screenings for students from kindergarten to grade 12, the creation of comprehensive multi-tiered systems for social-emotional and mental health support, and the establishment of sustainable coordination between schools and community-based providers. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is responsible for reporting on the outcomes of these initiatives, including participant demographics and recommendations for expanding mental health screening availability by September 3, 2025.

In its first year, the grant enabled 19 grantees to implement universal mental health screenings, reaching 7,550 students, or 15.1% of their combined enrollment. The screenings revealed that 13.7% of students required additional support, including those expressing suicidal ideation. The report emphasizes the need for timely follow-up, adequate staffing, and referral networks to address the mental health needs of high-needs or low-income students. It also highlights the importance of professional development for school staff to effectively support students' social-emotional and mental health needs. Recommendations from the Universal Mental Health Screening pilot program include initiating screenings earlier in the school year, targeted outreach to diverse communities, and sustaining follow-up efforts beyond the grant cycle to ensure that students receive the necessary mental health resources.