Bill > S1895

This bill establishes the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Program, which aims to increase the recruitment and retention of school-based mental health professionals by creating a cost-sharing initiative between the Department of Education and eligible graduate institutions. Under the program, graduate schools offering accredited programs in fields like school psychology, counseling, and social work can enter into agreements with the Secretary of Education to partially cover students' educational costs, with the government matching those contributions up to 50%. The program specifically targets students who previously received Pell Grants or attended certain designated institutions, with the goal of supporting future mental health professionals who might face financial barriers to advanced education. Participating institutions must submit annual reports detailing the number of students served, tuition coverage, and graduation and employment outcomes. The bill authorizes progressively increasing funding, starting at $20 million in fiscal year 2026 and reaching $50 million annually from 2028 to 2030. Additionally, the bill requires an independent national evaluation of the program after four years to assess its effectiveness and provide recommendations for improvement, ultimately seeking to address mental health service gaps in school settings by supporting the professional development of mental health providers.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1895/all-info