Back to School Mental Health: Resources Schools and Providers Need to Know for 2026–2027
To help schools, behavioral health providers, and families start the new school year ready to support their students, we’ve compiled this list of free school mental health programs and resources developed by CHDI, our partners, and colleagues from around the country.
Some examples of how this resource list can be used:
- School-based clinicians can share fact sheets and resources with teachers, school staff, and families
- Administrators can utilize resources to address student mental health in professional development or develop school mental health policy
- Private practice or community-based providers can share information with the children and families they treat or incorporate resources into back-to-school discussions in session
- Teachers can implement restorative practices, grounding activities, or discussion strategies into development of norms or classroom protocols
- Parents and caregivers can learn about common youth behavioral health conditions and treatments and find a provider
Connecticut Resources from CHDI
We're here to help CT schools assess, plan, and strengthen their student mental health supports. Through the federally funded CONNECT IV initiative, along with our partners at Connecting to Care, we provide free technical assistance, training, and support to K-12 schools statewide. Financial stipends are available based on the level of participation.
CONNECT is continuing to recruit new schools through spring 2027; click the link below to learn how your school can get involved.
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is a school-based group intervention (for grades 5-12) that has been shown to reduce PTSD and depression symptoms and psychosocial dysfunction in children who have experienced trauma. Bounce Back is an adaptation of the CBITS model for elementary school students (grades K-5). With support from CT DCF, CHDI helps schools across the state implement CBITS and Bounce Back effectively.
Click the link below to learn how to bring CBITS or Bounce Back to your school.
The School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI) works with schools and districts to reduce suspensions, expulsions, and arrests among students with behavioral health needs. These resources, developed under SBDI, can support any school community, whether enrolled in SBDI or not:
- The Family Engagement Toolkit supplements schools' strategies for making collaboration with families more effective, productive, and sustainable.
- The Family Well-being Resources (available in English and Spanish) are one-pagers designed for school staff to share with families and caregivers. They address topics such as substance use and vaping, media, restorative approaches, and conversations about mental health.
Download the Family Engagement Toolkit
Download Family Well-being Resources
Please note: SBDI is at capacity for the 26-27 school year; however, we encourage you to learn about the program and reach out if your school is interested in participating in the future.
In July 2025, Public Act 23-167 was passed, requiring Connecticut schools to respond to nonviolent incidents using restorative practices. To assist with implementation, we published an Issue Brief offering recommendations for frameworks and policies. Earlier this year, we also authored a blog aimed at further demystifying the complex concept of restorative practices by focusing on 4 key models.
This free, self-paced course covers what school refusal (also called school avoidance) is and why it occurs, supporting caregivers in getting their child to school, individual and systemic issues that can impact attendance, and accommodations to assist students with attendance.
This course has been approved for 2 Continuing Education Credit Hours by the National Association of Social Workers, CT, and meets the criteria for CT Social Work Licensure renewal.
We're here to help CT schools assess, plan, and strengthen their student mental health supports. Through the federally funded CONNECT IV initiative, along with our partners at Connecting to Care, we provide free technical assistance, training, and support to K-12 schools statewide. Financial stipends are available based on the level of participation.
CONNECT is continuing to recruit new schools through spring 2027; click the link below to learn how your school can get involved.
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is a school-based group intervention (for grades 5-12) that has been shown to reduce PTSD and depression symptoms and psychosocial dysfunction in children who have experienced trauma. Bounce Back is an adaptation of the CBITS model for elementary school students (grades K-5). With support from CT DCF, CHDI helps schools across the state implement CBITS and Bounce Back effectively.
Click the link below to learn how to bring CBITS or Bounce Back to your school.
The School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI) works with schools and districts to reduce suspensions, expulsions, and arrests among students with behavioral health needs. These resources, developed under SBDI, can support any school community, whether enrolled in SBDI or not:
- The Family Engagement Toolkit supplements schools' strategies for making collaboration with families more effective, productive, and sustainable.
- The Family Well-being Resources (available in English and Spanish) are one-pagers designed for school staff to share with families and caregivers. They address topics such as substance use and vaping, media, restorative approaches, and conversations about mental health.
Download the Family Engagement Toolkit
Download Family Well-being Resources
Please note: SBDI is at capacity for the 26-27 school year; however, we encourage you to learn about the program and reach out if your school is interested in participating in the future.
In July 2025, Public Act 23-167 was passed, requiring Connecticut schools to respond to nonviolent incidents using restorative practices. To assist with implementation, we published an Issue Brief offering recommendations for frameworks and policies. Earlier this year, we also authored a blog aimed at further demystifying the complex concept of restorative practices by focusing on 4 key models.
This free, self-paced course covers what school refusal (also called school avoidance) is and why it occurs, supporting caregivers in getting their child to school, individual and systemic issues that can impact attendance, and accommodations to assist students with attendance.
This course has been approved for 2 Continuing Education Credit Hours by the National Association of Social Workers, CT, and meets the criteria for CT Social Work Licensure renewal.
Connecticut Resources from State + Nonprofit Partners
Mobile Crisis | State of Connecticut
Specialized mobile crisis intervention services are available statewide to assist children and youth experiencing behavioral health crises at home, school, or in the community. Call 211 or 988—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—to immediately reach a trained crisis counselor and receive in-person crisis assistance at your location, typically in under an hour.
Learn more about mobile crisis
Connect4Families Toolkit | Connecting to Care
A comprehensive toolkit developed by Connecting to Care partners to simplify access to behavioral health services and enhance collaboration among families, pediatric and behavioral health providers, and schools. Includes a resource directory (Connecticut and national resources), sample referral and communication forms, tips from providers, families, and youth, privacy considerations, and more.
School Mental Health Resources | Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE)
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) hosts a library of mental health resources for both in-school and external referrals. Contents include Student Support Series webinars and strategies for promoting mental health and social-emotional learning, strengthening school culture, climate, and family engagement, and addressing issues like attendance, suicide prevention, grief and loss, trauma, and social media. You can also sign up for their listserv so you don't miss future resources, like their upcoming 2026 Mental Health Resource Kits.
Family Connections: Helping Families Connect, Learn and Advocate | Connecting to Care
A list of organizations across Connecticut that offer support, education, and advocacy for parents, caregivers, and families, including parenting resources, help navigating a child's needs, opportunities to connect with other families, and tools to become a stronger advocate.
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Library | Connecting to Care
A variety of tools to help schools develop, implement, and evaluate plans to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate services for all students.
Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families | State of Connecticut
A guide to help parents and families with undocumented members create a family preparedness plan to ensure the safety and well-being of children and youth in the event of a separation. Available in nine languages.
Get the CT Family Preparedness Packet
Immigrant Children's Justice Project | The Center for Children's Advocacy (CCA)
The Center for Children's Advocacy (CCA) is a Connecticut-based, nonprofit law firm fighting for Connecticut's most vulnerable children. Their Immigrant Children's Justice Project helps at-risk children avoid deportation and access behavioral health and educational resources; their website offers a variety of related resources.
Read the Know Your Rights document
Support for Students Experiencing Homelessness | CSDE
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) manages an awareness campaign, “No matter what, school is for everyone,” to let students experiencing homelessness know they are still wanted and supported at school. The site also has tools and resources to help schools and districts support students and families without stable housing.
Find a Children's Behavioral Health Provider | State of Connecticut
The Connecticut State Department of Children and Families (DCF) maintains a directory of clinicians trained in key trauma-focused evidence-based behavioral health practices and treatments (EBPs/EBTs) proven by research to be effective for most children (learn more about the specific treatments covered in this directory here).
The Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership (CT BHP) is an initiative of DCF, the Department of Social Services (DSS), and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), with administration by Carelon Behavioral Health. The partnership's website provides information on accessing HUSKY (Medicaid) programs and services for children, adolescents, adults, and families in need of behavioral health support, and includes a directory of providers. Families (as well as schools or other providers making referrals) can also call the Partnership's call center for assistance finding the right provider or service for their specific needs.