School Mental Health
Browse Related Strategy Recommendations
Create federal guidelines for active shooter drills
Congress should pass legislation to create federal guidelines for active shooter drills in our nation’s schools.
Topics
Ensure collaboration on student SUD assessment programs
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) should collaborate with states on student assessment programs such as Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). SBIRT should be deployed for adolescents in middle school, high school, and college levels.[1]
Topics
Pass the Mental Health Services for Students Act
Congress should pass the Mental Health Services for Students Act, which would strengthen comprehensive, school-based mental health services.[1][2][7][8]
Topics
Fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Congress should fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to ensure that all eligible children, including those with serious mental health conditions, receive the special education services they need to succeed academically.[1][2]
Topics
Ban assault weapons and dangerous hardware
Given the trauma and mental health impacts of mass shootings, Congress should ban the sale and possession of assault weapons and dangerous hardware including silencers, high-capacity magazines, bump stocks, and other conversion devices.[1]
Topics
Clarify guidance on school Medicaid and FERPA exceptions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should clarify its May 2023 guidance on school Medicaid is not meant to supersede allowable Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) exceptions. The Department of Education (DOE) should issue guidance that clarifies that for the purposes of audits, school Medicaid is considered an education program and local education agencies are free to release information to auditors. Absent action from CMS, Congress should update the FERPA statute to allow for school Medicaid exceptions.