Health secretary would offer school staff mental health grants if funded

The health secretary would award grants or contracts for staff mental health programs and could offer separate training grants. Program awards would go to state or local education agencies, colleges, or groups of them. Training awards could also go to governments, tribal groups, and nonprofits. The health secretary would give priority to eligible applicants in areas where a high percentage of schools receive federal Title I, Part A aid. Congress would need to provide the money; the bill allows $35 million for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2028. Each grant or contract would last three years.

The health secretary would share mental health guidance and run a national effort encouraging staff to seek care. The guidance and outreach would address mental health and substance use concerns among educators and other school staff. The bill allows Congress to set aside $10 million a year for the outreach effort from fiscal years 2026 through 2028, but does not provide that money itself. The secretary would share the guidance and report on the outreach effort to Congress within two years after enactment.

The health secretary would review staff mental health and report to Congress. The U.S. Comptroller General would separately report on federal grants. Both reports would concern educators and other school staff. The second would examine federal mental health and substance use grants. The secretary could examine barriers to care and program results and would make recommendations when appropriate. The Comptroller General would assess available evidence and check whether grant programs have overlapping goals. The secretary’s review and report would be due within two years after enactment. The Comptroller General’s report would be due within four years.