East Orange, NJ – November 19, 2024 – The East Orange School District is proud to partner with Montclair State University as a site placement partner for the **U.S. Department of Education's Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Grant**. This groundbreaking initiative, supported by a $3,550,718 award over five years, will significantly enhance the district's mental health services and professional development.
Beginning in Fall 2025, the partnership will facilitate the placement of Montclair State University's School Psychology graduate students for practica and internship experiences in the East Orange School District. In addition to bolstering mental health resources for students, the grant will provide professional development opportunities for the district's school psychologists, focusing on implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) initiative.
"We are excited to partner with Montclair State University to strengthen mental health services for our students while supporting the professional growth of our staff," said Dr. Dawn Stokes-Tyler, Supervisor of Staff Development at East Orange School District.
As part of the grant, the district's school psychologists will receive stipends for mentoring the incoming interns, further incentivizing their essential role in developing the next generation of mental health professionals. The initiative is designed to improve student outcomes and expand the district's capacity to address the mental health needs of its diverse student population.
This transformative partnership was made possible by the collaborative efforts of Dr. Dawn Stokes-Tyler, Dr. Kelly Williams, and Ms. Corey Smallwood, whose leadership has brought this opportunity to the district.
This grant also directly supports the initiatives led by Dr. Christopher Irving, Superintendent of Schools. It will further enhance the programs and services provided by the district's Department of Special Education to meet students' needs.