
About Us
Supportive Schools Grant Program
The New York State Education Department and Board of Regents are committed to supporting students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional health. Social-emotional development plays a key role in the school environment. Research suggests it is associated with motivation to learn, commitment to school, time spent at school, and prosocial behavior. Participation in programs that focus on prosocial skills can lead to improved academic performance and readiness for postsecondary education and employment.
To demonstrate an acknowledgement of these findings and commitment to this work, $2 million was allocated to create the Supportive Schools Grant Program (SSGP) in the 2018-2019 enacted State Budget. The purpose of these funds is to support initiatives within eligible districts across the state to improve school climate. The SSGP currently funds a variety of activities to increase student engagement, address barriers such as chronic absenteeism, suspension, dropout, bullying and violence, and implement evidence-based practices. The remaining funds were used to create the Safe and Supportive Schools Technical Assistance Center (SSS-TAC).
For more information on the Safe and Supportive Schools Grant award, click here.
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Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D. & Schellinger, K. B. (2011), The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82: 405–432.
Jones, D. E., Greenberg, M., & Crowley, M. (2015). Early Social-Emotional Functioning and Public Health: The Relationship between Kindergarten Social Competence and Future Wellness. American Journal of Public Health, 105, 2283-2290.