RI S2452

Allocates $100,000 in the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget to support youth mental health through out-of-school time (OST) programs serving K-12 students

Funds may be used for mental health first aid training, trauma-informed practices, peer support groups, mentoring, social-emotional learning curricula, and wellness-focused enrichment activities

Rhode Island Afterschool Network is identified as the preferred administrator to distribute funds through a competitive grant process to qualified OST programs

Priority given to programs serving youth with high levels of demonstrated need, with consideration for geographic diversity across urban, suburban, and rural communities

Requires annual reporting to the General Assembly on the number of programs and youth served, geographic distribution, and summary of funded activities and outcomes