Shaheen, Hassan & Kuster Announce More than $267K for Franklin School District to Bolster School Safety & Support Mental Health Services for Students

(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice (DOJ), announced with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) that the DOJ has awarded $267,595 to the Franklin School District through DOJ’s Students, Teachers, Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Grant Program. Specifically, the funds will be used by the district to support its Office of School Wellness, which provides assistance to students who have suffered from trauma and adverse childhood experiences. By supporting the office’s critical work in educating youth, training school personnel, enriching community partnerships, developing intervention methods and improving services available to students in need, the funds will contribute to a positive, safe environment for students to learn.

“We need to ensure that school districts across New Hampshire like Franklin have the resources they need to care for students who have tragically experienced trauma. This is especially true as we continue to combat COVID-19, which has exacerbated crises like the substance use disorder epidemic that has increased stress in households and has made students more vulnerable,” said Senator Shaheen, who wrote a letter of support for this grant. “I’m very pleased that the Franklin School District received these federal funds, which will bolster the important work the Office of School Wellness is doing to support at-risk students and ensure they are able to get the help they need. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue to fight for resources that invest in the safety and well-being of New Hampshire schools.”

“I am glad that the Franklin School District has received this federal funding to build on its efforts to provide mental health resources to its students who have experienced trauma,” Senator Hassan said. “This grant will help improve the overall wellbeing of Franklin’s student body while also preventing incidences of violence on school property. I will continue working with the rest of the delegation to secure additional federal resources to support the mental wellness of students in communities across New Hampshire.”

“We know that the mental health of students is key when it comes to their overall wellbeing and the prevention of violence in schools,” said Representative Kuster. “This funding is a critical investment in the mental health of Franklin students and will help to provide vital resources to support those who have experienced trauma. I’m pleased to join Senator Shaheen and Senator Hassan to announce this important funding, and I will continue working with them to ensure all Granite State students can live and learn in safe environments.”

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