Boston Public Schools has been awarded a $1.6 million federal grant through a partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance to support students affected by trauma.
The funding will be used to place trauma specialists in 10 schools throughout the district. They will coordinate interventions with students who have experienced trauma, connect with their families and refer them to partner organizations.
A statement released by the district Monday says that schools were selected based on academic standing, absenteeism rates, the degree of trauma experienced by students and family instability.
Superintendent Tommy Chang said research shows that trauma left untreated can have a lifelong impact on students.
A 2013 Boston Children's Hospital study found that 20 percent of the city's students either experienced or observed two or more traumatic events.
