By Kelly Carbone
Youth mental health continues to be a growing concern nationwide, with research showing that many challenges begin early in childhood. Stress, trauma, and limited access to support can shape how children experience school and relationships long before these challenges are visible. Addressing mental health early helps children build the skills they rely on throughout their education and beyond.
Embright Education was recently awarded a $102,906 grant from The Cigna Group Foundation to expand social-emotional learning programming in Trenton Public Schools. The Foundation’s work centers on advancing youth mental health by strengthening resilience, supporting school success, and fostering social connectedness alongside essential life skills. Together, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to early intervention and the lasting impact it can have on student well-being over time.
This grant allows Embright to fully saturate first and second grade classrooms in the district, reaching more than 2,200 students. Through the I Am a Go-To Kid program for first grade and the Confident Kids program for second grade, students receive consistent, research-backed social-emotional learning lessons that support emotional regulation, confidence, positive peer relationships, and thoughtful decision-making. These programs are designed to empower students while supporting the growth of the whole child.
For many children, particularly those impacted by poverty, stress, or trauma, consistent access to social-emotional learning can provide stability and support that may not always be available elsewhere. By embedding these lessons directly into the school day, Embright helps ensure that all students have access to tools that strengthen resilience and connection.
National data underscores the importance of this work. According to research from The Cigna Group’s Evernorth Research Institute, the number of young people experiencing mental health conditions has increased significantly in recent years. Many children also experience trauma before adolescence, reinforcing the need for early, preventive support that builds social and emotional functioning before challenges escalate.
Through this partnership, Embright Education and The Cigna Group Foundation are working toward a shared goal of strengthening youth mental health through early, accessible, and consistent programming. By investing in students at the earliest grades, this grant helps lay the foundation for resilience, school success, and healthy social development across the Trenton community.
“This funding allows us to show up for students in a consistent and meaningful way,” said Jessica Nitti, Executive Director of Embright Education. “When schools are supported and programs continue over time, students gain tools to manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and feel safe being themselves. That consistency helps create school communities where emotional well-being is valued alongside academic success.”
We are grateful to The Cigna Group Foundation for its trust and partnership, and to the educators, families, and community members who continue to make this work possible. Together, we are investing not only in programs, but in the emotional well-being and future potential of Trenton’s children.