Delaware gets $7.5M grant to expand school trauma services

GEORGETOWN, Del. – “If we aren’t meeting the social, emotional behavioral needs of those students they’re not going to be available for learning,” said Jay Owens, assistant superintendent at the Indian River School District.

More than 7 million federal grant dollars will soon be in the hands of educators in Delaware.

“Students are coming to our classrooms with a great deal of needs,” said Owens.

It is a new push educators say will help students suffering from trauma and emotional abuse.

“There’s times where parents could be arrested or removed from the home,” said Detective Joey Melvin at the Georgetown Police Department.

“Children could have not only witnessed a traumatic event or some violence or more than likely, they could be placed somewhere else,” said Melvin.

The new grant will not only help to provide more support services.

“We want to provide counselors to our schools, so they can work with the students when they recognize those needs as well,” said Owens.

It will also give schools a chance to work closer with law enforcement. Something that the Georgetown Police Department now has their hands on.

“Increasing awareness is first key,” said Melvin.

According to Detective Joey Melvin, they will work hand-in-hand with students and keep teachers informed if something does not seem right and help set these kids on a path to success.

“I can touch base with the counselors and pretty much give them some notice that hey when this student comes back they’ve been involved in a traumatic experience,” said Melvin.

Through this grant the state’s Department of Education will also provide more opportunities for teachers to learn about signs and symptoms of trauma. This new grant is also designed to help prevent child abuse and neglect.