Establishes School-based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids program in DCF; requires school districts to develop mental health support and partnership programs. **

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 8 co-sponsors

New Jersey SPARK program requires school districts to partner with community organizations to expand student mental health services and resilience, with funding and oversight.

Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (71-0-8)

Purpose and intent

Establishes the School-based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids (SPARK) program within the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Aims to enhance student mental health support by creating formal partnerships between school districts and community-based organizations, with a focus on access to mental health services and resilience-building for students.

Requires school districts to develop and implement mental health support and partnership programs aligned with SPARK objectives.

Key provisions and changes

Creation of SPARK program within DCF to coordinate school-based mental health initiatives and partnerships.

Mandates school districts to develop programs that integrate mental health supports, leveraging partnerships with community organizations, agencies, or providers.

Emphasizes accessibility to mental health services for students, potentially reducing barriers to care and increasing early intervention.

May include requirements for program components such as prevention and resilience curricula, referral processes, and coordination with district mental health staff.

Likely to specify reporting, oversight, and accountability mechanisms to ensure districts implement SPARK-aligned activities (exact reporting requirements would be set in implementing regulations or subsequent sections).

Includes an appropriation to fund the SPARK program and district activities; details on grant sizes, matching funds, or allocation methodology would be specified in the bill text or fiscal schedules.

Who is affected

Primary: New Jersey school districts and school administrative units responsible for implementing SPARK-aligned mental health programs.

Students: Beneficiaries of expanded mental health services, early intervention, and resilience-building activities in schools.

Community-based organizations and service providers: Potential partners in delivering services, programs, or supports within schools.

DCF and state education stakeholders: Responsible for administering the program, funding, and oversight.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Requires enrollment of districts into SPARK through program implementation processes defined by DCF.

Likely establishes timelines for districts to develop and begin implementing SPARK-aligned programs (e.g., within a school year or specific fiscal year), with ongoing obligations thereafter.

Includes annual or periodic reporting requirements to track implementation progress, outcomes, and expenditures.

Funding provided by the appropriation would be disbursed to districts or via competitive grants, subject to application and approval processes outlined in the bill or related regulations.

Potential impacts and considerations

Expanded access to school-based mental health resources and early intervention for students.

Increased collaboration between schools and community mental health providers.

Need for districts to build partnerships, allocate staff time, and potentially adjust budgets to support program requirements.

Evaluation of program effectiveness will depend on defined metrics, data collection, and reporting standards.

Note: Specific dollar figures, eligible activities, partnership criteria, and regulatory details would be found in the bill’s text and any accompanying fiscal statements or guidance.