Rep. Allen Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Access to Mental Health Services for Students

Yesterday, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12), a member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, introduced the Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act . This bill would provide school districts with increased flexibility in how they can use funds from an existing grant program under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to improve mental health services for students. Upon introducing the bill, Congressman Allen issued the following statement: "It is beyond heartbreaking that children across the country are facing a severe mental health crisis. Today's students are tomorrow's leaders and we must do more to improve and expand the mental health resources available to our nation's youth. The Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act will give school districts the freedom and flexibility to use federal funding as they see fit to meet students' needs—leading to better outcomes, safer communities, and increased chances for success." NOTE: Specifically, the bill would allow funds to be used to identify and disseminate best practices for mental health first aid; assist in the establishment or implementation of emergency planning, including deploying emergency response teams at schools during an emergency; establish relationships with local health agencies to improve coordination of services; and to provide telehealth services, a vital tool to ensure that any potential future school closures do not diminish the ability to serve vulnerable students.