School-based mental health services grant program

(a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to increase the number of school-based mental health services providers by supporting high-need local educational agencies in recruiting, hiring, retaining, and diversifying school-based mental health services providers to expand access to school-based mental health services for students enrolled in elementary schools and secondary schools served by such agencies. (b) Authorization of grants (1) In general From the amounts made available under subsection (g) that remain after making the reservations described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, grants to eligible agencies to carry out the activities described in subsection (d). (2) Reservations Of the amount made available under subsection (g) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall— (A) reserve not more than 2 percent for program administration, technical assistance, and data collection; (B) reserve 1 percent for the Secretary of the Interior for schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education, in accordance with the purpose of this section; and (C) reserve 1 percent for allotments for payments to the outlying areas, to be distributed among those outlying areas on the basis of their relative need, as determined by the Secretary, in accordance with the purpose of this section. (3) Duration and renewals (A) Duration A grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than 5 years. (B) Renewal The Secretary may renew a grant awarded under this section for a period of not more than 2 years. (4) Diversity of projects (A) In general In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, grants are distributed among eligible agencies that serve geographically diverse areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas. (B) Local educational agencies In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that at least 50 percent of the amounts described in such paragraph are awarded to high-quality applications submitted by high-need local educational agencies described in clauses (i) and (ii) of section 24701(3)(A). (5) Sufficient size and scope Each grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall be of sufficient size and scope to allow the eligible agency receiving the grant to carry out the purpose of this section. (c) Application An eligible agency applying for a grant under subsection (b)(1) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require, which may include— (1) a description of the prevalent mental health or substance use and misuse concerns facing students enrolled in schools served by participating high-need local educational agencies; (2) a description of current shortage of school-based mental health services providers, including lack of diversity, if applicable, in high-need local educational agencies that will be served under the grant; (3) a description of the applicant’s plan to support recruiting, hiring, retaining, or diversifying school-based mental health services providers in high-need local educational agencies to be served under the grant; and (4) an assurance that any school-based mental health services provider, including any provider offering telehealth services, provides services in a manner consistent with section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g; commonly known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), as well as all applicable Federal, State, and local laws. (d) Use of funds An eligible agency that receives a grant under subsection (b)(1) shall use such grant funds to carry out 1 or more of the following: (1) Hiring school-based mental health services providers to— (A) provide school-based mental health services to students enrolled in schools served by high-need local educational agencies; and (B) implement evidence-based practices to improve school climate to support positive student mental health. (2) Implementing strategies to recruit school-based mental health services providers in high-need local educational agencies to help mitigate shortages of such providers, such as— (A) salary stipends; (B) relocation benefits; (C) student loan repayment; or (D) other financial incentives. (3) Implementing strategies to retain school-based mental health services providers in high-need local educational agencies, which may include— (A) providing incentives described in paragraph (2); or (B) providing ongoing professional development, induction, mentorship, or peer support for school-based mental health services providers. (e) Rules (1) Matching requirement Eligible agencies that receive a grant under this section must contribute non-Federal matching funds to the amount of not less than 25 percent of the project budget. (2) Supplement, not supplant Funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be used for activities described under this section. (3) Disaggregation of data Disaggregation of data required under this section shall not be required when the number is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual. (f) Reporting requirements Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under this section, and on an annual basis thereafter, an eligible agency shall submit to the Secretary, and publish in a clear and easily accessible format on the website of the eligible agency, a report that includes, in addition to any information the Secretary may require, the following: (1) The number of school-based mental health services providers employed by high-need local educational agencies served under the grant and any increases from the prior year, disaggregated by— (A) the number of each type of such provider who was recruited, hired, or retained with support under this grant; and (B) the demographics of such providers. (2) The ratio of students to school-based mental health services providers in high-need local educational agencies served under the grant and the extent to which such ratio has decreased since the start of the grant period. (3) The reduction in the annual attrition rate of school-based mental health services providers employed by high-need local educational agencies served under the grant and the extent to which such attrition rate has decreased since the start of the grant period. (g) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.