Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches New Early Education and Child Care Mental Health Resources

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches New Early Education and Child Care Mental Health Resources 

Trauma responsive early educator trainings to support behavioral health and social-emotional learning for children 

WORCESTER — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today a new partnership between the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) that aims to strengthen early childhood educators' skills in social-emotional learning as an essential part of a child’s development. The partnership’s initiative, Strategies for Trauma Responsive Early Educator Training (STREET), provides new virtual and in-person trainings intentionally designed for the early education and care workforce in Massachusetts. 

This is the first initiative informed by the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s early education through higher education mental health framework. 

“We have a youth mental health crisis that was only made worse by the pandemic. That’s why we’ve prioritized developing an education mental health framework and expanding mental and behavioral health supports for students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re proud to roll out these new trainings that provide early education and care programs with the tools and resources needed to help educators identify kids struggling, support them and create safe and positive learning environments.” 

“Early education and care programs play a vital role in supporting the foundation for infant and child mental health that will serve our students throughout their lives. These new resources will provide our educators with the tools they need to understand the impact trauma can have on student behavior and equip them with the knowledge on how to create positive and supportive environments for children to learn, grow, and play,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.   

Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, and Director of the OCA Maria Mossaides launched this new initiative today in Worcester with 45 early education and care leaders and educators from across the state. There they highlighted how these trainings will empower educators and leaders with the tools to help create positive, resilient early education settings throughout the state’s mixed-delivery system. Addressing the youth mental health crisis remains a priority for the administration and Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2026 budget includes over $21 million to support student behavioral and mental health.  

“We continue to hear from programs and caregivers of the social-emotional needs of young children and the impact this is having on staff,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “This new initiative is an example of state government at its best – bringing together the expertise of both agencies to support students, educators and communities. These trainings will help educators become more trauma-informed and responsive, enabling them to better support the healthy development of all children.” 

“The social-emotional needs and well-being of children, as well as educators and directors, have been a priority area of focus for us at EEC. We are grateful to our partners at the Office of the Child Advocate for helping us support the professionals working in early education and care programs by providing them with new tools and resources, to meet the needs of the children in their classrooms, and to take care of themselves and their colleagues,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. 

"When children experience trauma without the right support, it can affect their development, behavior, and academic success. Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and by providing professionals these tools, we can create environments that foster resilience and ensure that all children have the foundation they need to succeed. I am so grateful to partner with the Department of Early Education and Care because this collaboration represents a huge opportunity to ensure that early childhood professionals have the skills they need to truly be trauma-responsive," said Maria Mossaides, Director of the Office of the Child Advocate.