Connecticut-based Dalio Education recently released a report it commissioned that focused on "disconnected and at-risk youth" and found more than 63,000 young adults were disconnected, and 56,000 students were at risk between 2021 and 2022, according to the compiled data.
These are young people who have either dropped out of school or are in danger of dropping out of school, and who are, for those aged 18 to 26, unemployed and in many cases unemployable.
Provided grants to local schools to hire more support staff, including in the areas of mental health like social workers, psychologists, and counselors
Funded the expansions of school-based health centers and the services they provide
Created new walk-ins for mental health emergencies
Initiated a new position at the Office of the Healthcare Advocate to help families navigate care for children and adolescents
Expanded 24/7 emergency mental health response
Established state oversight and coordination of state response to kids' mental health needs
Expanded mentorship opportunities
Helped school-based health centers develop new mental health programming
Assisted local schools in expanding mental health staff and access to care
Provided mental health training to parents, students, and pediatricians
Established the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (legislation passed in 2022; updated in 2023 with PA 23-90)
Prevented any town from receiving a funding cut to their local schools
Ensured more districts will meet eligibility requirements for the federal School Breakfast Program
Maintained funding to support our bilingual students
This report shines a light on critically important data that shows elected officials, state agencies, and branches of government must collectively work better together to bring more stakeholders into this conversation, so that "at-risk and "disconnected" youth do not become "lost" adults.
As always, please feel free to contact me to share your ideas and concerns.