School Mental Health Implementation
CHDI helps schools and districts implement school mental health plans, strengthen connections to community-based resources, and evaluate their impact over time so that all students can meet their full potential. In Connecticut, this work is part of the Connecting Schools to Care IV Students (CONNECT IV) initiative.
Connecting Schools to Care IV Students
CHDI serves as the statewide Coordinating Center for Connecting Schools to Care IV Students (CONNECT IV), a four-year grant awarded to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help build the capacity of Connecticut schools to implement comprehensive school mental health supports and strengthen connections with community-based behavioral health services.
CONNECT IV helps Connecticut schools and districts assess current school mental health programming, develop and implement custom quality improvement plans, and evaluate their efforts over time. Funding incentives are available based on each school or district’s level of participation.
Schools and districts can apply to participate in CONNECT IV at three different levels, based on need and capacity:
Level 1 Schools will receive:
-
A School Mental Health Needs Assessment using the SHAPE System
-
Behavioral health training opportunities for staff and families
-
Technical Assistance from CHDI
-
SHAPE Results Review
Level 2 Schools will receive:
-
All Level 1 components
-
A custom implementation plan with goals based on your SHAPE results
-
Participation in regional learning communities
Level 3 Schools will receive:
-
All Level 1 and 2 components
-
Ongoing technical assistance and implementation support from CHDI throughout the year
-
Quality improvement, data collection , and evaluation support
-
Implementation of a new peer support model (optional; middle & high schools only)
Level 1 Schools will receive:
-
A School Mental Health Needs Assessment using the SHAPE System
-
Behavioral health training opportunities for staff and families
-
Technical Assistance from CHDI
-
SHAPE Results Review
Level 2 Schools will receive:
-
All Level 1 components
-
A custom implementation plan with goals based on your SHAPE results
-
Participation in regional learning communities
Level 3 Schools will receive:
-
All Level 1 and 2 components
-
Ongoing technical assistance and implementation support from CHDI throughout the year
-
Quality improvement, data collection , and evaluation support
-
Implementation of a new peer support model (optional; middle & high schools only)
What School Staff Say About CONNECT IV
Highlights from a 2024-2025 pre- and post-survey of staff across 40 participating schools
Strengthen your school's mental health programming
Contact us to see if CONNECT IV is a good fit for your school or district and discuss which level of participation might make sense for your current needs and capacity:
For a more in-depth overview of how CONNECT IV works, watch our March 2026 webinar.
School Mental Health Resource & Support Guide
Download a free resource guide to help Connecticut schools and districts navigate the state's robust system of behavioral health care for children and youth, developed by CHDI and our partners in Connecting to Care.
About CONNECT
CONNECT IV is the fourth phase of the Connecticut Network of Care Transformation (CONNECT) initiative, also known as Connecting to Care. CONNECT fosters partnerships between state agencies, providers, and families at the local, regional, and state levels to better integrate child-serving systems into a coordinated, effective system of care so that all Connecticut children and families can access the care they need, when and where they need it.
CONNECT is funded by a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). DCF partners with CHDI, Carelon Behavioral Health, FAVOR, Inc., and The Consultation Center at Yale University to implement the initiative. CHDI has served as the CONNECT Coordinating Center since the initiative's first phase began in 2013.
Other School Mental Health Initiatives
In addition to the support provided through CONNECT IV, participating schools will also have opportunities to incorporate other CHDI-led initiatives and practices as appropriate for their unique needs, including:
CBITS & Bounce Back
CBITS and Bounce Back are evidence-based, small group interventions for students who have experienced trauma.
School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI)
SBDI helps schools connect students who have behavioral health needs to services and supports and reduce the use of exclusionary discipline.
Students Supporting Students
A new student peer support model that empowers students to provide mental health information and support to peers.
Past Initiatives
CHDI has been working to expand and strengthen comprehensive school mental health systems, policies, and practices in Connecticut and beyond for many years. Past state- and federally-funded comprehensive school mental health implementation initiatives include: