‘Timely’ Mental Health Grant to Fund Programs, Restorative Justice Training
Salem Public Schools receives $100,000 mental health grant from Healey-Driscoll Administration
SALEM (Mar. 5, 2025) – Salem Public Schools received a $100,000 grant from the Governor Maura Healey–Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll Administration to be used toward its commitment to the mental health of each of its students.
A recipient of the mental health grant each year since 2021-22, SPS was among 60 school districts statewide to receive the grant in varying amounts. Its purpose is to improve student access to behavioral and mental health support and services.
The Monday, Feb. 24 announcement of the grant was timely. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, SPS announced a partnership with Lynn-based Raw Artworks, a youth-focused art therapy organization, which the grant will fund.
Over the next 15 weeks, 60 students from the Saltonstall School and the Collins Middle School in grades 6 and 7 will take part in a multi school engagement program called “Art Tag Salem at Raw.” Each school will travel to Raw Artworks on opposite weeks to develop a permanent art installation to be displayed and unveiled at Collins at the end of the school year.
Effective this fall, the Saltonstall School will transition to educating students in grades K-5 exclusively. All students in grades 6-8 will learn at Collins Middle School.
“We want to use the partnership with Raw Artworks to bring these two communities together,” said Ellen Wingard, Executive Director of Student Support Services at SPS.
Additionally – consistent with the District Strategic Plan’s core values of empowering educators and centering belonging – the grant will also fund training in restorative justice practices: SPS educators and administrators utilize restorative justice strategies to disrupt exclusionary practices and disproportionate discipline to foster belonging for students and families.
“We applied for the grant in October,” said Ms. Wingard. “Over time it has funded our restorative justice training as well as special projects, social emotional learning curriculum and supplies, and improving crisis management training.”
Since 2021, SPS has partnered with the Suffolk University Center for Restorative Justice to train educators in restorative justice practices. This year’s grant will provide a second tier of training for SPS educators.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
