School Mental Health

Congress should establish federal funding for the Community Schoolyards project through the National Park Service’s (NPS) Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) to renovate asphalt schoolyards into schoolyard parks by providing grants to school districts, city parks, and water departments to fund renovations with oversight from federal agencies.

The Department of Education (DOE) should build a standardized framework for schools to implement the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, establish dashboards for data collection and resources libraries on the MTSS framework, establish a certification program that recognizes districts that have implemented MTSS best practices, and establish a permanent position for school-based Medicaid services to support state education agencies in implementation.The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should also clarify that Tier 1 supports under MTSS include prevention and early intervention services under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit.

Federal Title I education funds should not be used to support policies that foster unhealthy school climates such as zero-tolerance policies and school resource officers. Title 1 education funds should instead be used for school with social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, such as the Responsive Classroom from the Center for Responsive Schools, and executive function training programs like the ACTIVATE program in all schools.[1]

Congress should amend the Head Start Act so the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary is required to prioritize programs that support evidence-based trauma-informed programs, age-appropriate positive behavioral interventions and supports, early childhood mental health consultation, and prevention of suspension and expulsion.[1]

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) should identify successful college recovery programs, including "recovery housing" on college campuses, and provide support and technical assistance to increase the number and capacity of high-quality programs to help students in recovery.[1]

Congress should amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to fund teacher and principal training and professional development on mental health and substance use challenges in children and adolescents.[1]