Sandy Hook School Support Fund Resources & Assistance
Immediately following the tragedy on 12/14, the Sandy Hook School Support Fund (SHSSF) was created by United Way Coastal and Western CT (UWCWC) and the Newtown Savings Bank (NSB). The Fund was established to receive primarily undesignated financial donations, with the intent that the money raised would support children and families impacted by the tragedy, first responders, teachers, and the Newtown community in both the short and long-term. No fees or expenses have ever been taken for the administration of the SHSSF by the United Way or the Newtown Savings Bank.
Since 2013, the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation partnered with 23 organizations and provided a little over $1.1 million in support to non-profit organizations that aligned with their mission and work to support recovery efforts with groups and individuals impacted by the tragedy at Sandy Hook School on 12/14/12.
Accordingly, in January 2015 the Board of Directors voted on a sunset plan that was based in part on the high school graduation of the youngest class of children enrolled at Sandy Hook School on 12/14/12. The Foundation dissolved in December 2025.
To explore the foundation’s impact over the years, access their impact report below:
>> Download Restrospective Impact Report | 2013-2022
Additional Assistance
We frequently hear from families who are navigating the difficult task of explaining the Sandy Hook tragedy to children who were either too young to remember or who have moved to Newtown in the years since. To support these conversations, we encourage you to explore the helpful resources linked below.
Other Helpful Links
CT Office of Victim Services – www.jud.ct.gov/crimevictim
The Child Trauma Academy – http://childtrauma.org/
The Center for Complicated Grief – www.complicatedgrief.org
The Coalition to Support Grieving Students – https://grievingstudents.org
National Child Traumatic Stress Network – http://www.nctsn.org
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement – https://sowkweb.usc.edu/about/centers-affiliations/national-center-school-crisis-and-bereavement
National Center for PTSD – http://www.ptsd.va.gov/
Helpful Resources
Guidelines-Talking-to-Kids-About-Tragedies
Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Violence – What Parents Can Do
Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Violence – What community members can do
Tips for Families on Anticipating Anniversary Reactions
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR INSURANCE CARRIER
Newtown-Social Services
Office of Victim Services (OVS)
Students enrolled in SHS on 12/14/12 may be eligible for financial assistance for out-of-pocket mental health counseling expenses (up to $2,000) from the Office of Victim Services (OVS). For more information, please contact OVS at 1-888-286-7347 or ovscompensation@jud.ct.gov.