Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Josh Gottheimer introduced the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act. This legislation addresses the shortage of mental health professionals, like school psychologists, social workers and counselors.
Specifically, authorization is granted to establish partnerships between the Department of Education and eligible graduate programs to cover up to 50 percent of attendance costs for students attaining graduate degrees in the field of school psychology. These grants will allow more people to become school-based mental health service providers.
“Ensuring students have access to mental health resources is vital to their current and future success, along with that of their peers,” Fitzpatrick said. “Even in states with the greatest access to mental health services in America, over 38 percent of youth are not receiving the mental health services they need. As a co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, I am proud to support the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act.”
