Coventry council approves $60,000 opioid funds to keep student assistance counselors in schools

Coventry’s town council voted to approve the use of $60,000 in opioid-settlement funds to maintain two contracted student assistance counselors serving the middle and high schools.

The superintendent told the council the counselors — contracted through an organization that now operates as C3 Well-being — focus on substance-use prevention, early intervention, small-group and individual supports, referrals to treatment and family outreach. The superintendent said the $60,000 would fund about 31% of the positions’ cost and that the program reports monthly on services and outcomes.

Council members asked how the counselors are deployed and whether students must request help. The superintendent said the counselors are full-time at Feinstein and the high school, and that students sometimes self-refer but staff also identify and refer at-risk students for interventions and family outreach.

After brief discussion about the program’s role in early intervention and budget priorities, a council member moved to approve the opioid-fund allocation; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The council did not provide a roll-call tally in the public record.

The superintendent said the student assistance program has operated in the state since 1986, serves dozens of schools and reported serving more than 5,000 students in 2024–25. She emphasized the program’s data-informed monitoring and compliance with FERPA and HIPAA.

The council’s approval will allow the town to continue contracting with the vendor for the coming year; the superintendent said remaining funding comes from nonprofit donations and other sources.

The council moved on to recognitions and appointments following the vote.