FY22 House Ways and Means Budget Update

FY22 House Ways and Means Budget released today, funds the Safe and Supportive Schools line item at $510,684!
FY22 House Ways and Means Budget released today, funds the Safe and Supportive Schools line item at $510,684!
The Conference Committee maintained critical funding for Safe and Supportive Schools in their FY 21 budget, allocating $510,684.00 to the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612). We are grateful to the lead sponsors Representative Ruth Balser and Senator Sal DiDomenico.
Everyone knows what it feels like not to belong, not to be welcome. Sometimes we feel rejected, left out, or hurt by lost friendships and partner relations. Now scientific literature corroborates that social rejection affects the brain in similar ways that physical pain does. Social rejection really does hurt! This is important information to consider as schools reopen, whether remotely or in person, especially for students who may already feel a lack of belonging or are marginalized.
The March/April 2020 edition of Principal Magazine published by the National Association of Elementary School features an article written by TLPI Director, Susan Cole.
TLPI convened a legislative briefing where students from Massachusetts High Schools shared with legislators what they need from their schools in order to learn and do well. The students’ comments make a powerful argument for why we need to include their voice in education reform efforts.
Do you have a passion for education reform? TLPI is seeking to hire a Communications Specialist with energy, experience, passion, intelligence, and an eye to detail to join our team.
Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark along with Congressmen Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced the Trauma-Informed Schools Act of 2019.
MA DESE announces that the 2019-2020 (FY20) Safe and Supportive Schools Competitive Grant (FC335) is now posted. Please visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2020/335/ for more information.
We are pleased to share with you a summary of the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative (TLPI) Trauma-Sensitive Schools Descriptive Study.
The House Ways and Means budget was released this week and the line item for Safe and Supportive Schools includes $400,000. Representative Ruth Balser has filed a budget amendment for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) to increase funding to $500,000. This will restore funding to last year’s level. We are writing with an URGENT request to please email your MA Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor Representative Balser’s amendment!