Michigan Joins Multistate Coalition to Protect Federal Mental Health Funding for Schools

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of attorneys general from seven other states to file an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education's decision to terminate critical federal grants for school-based mental health services. The brief highlights the urgent need to preserve access to these services, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The coalition argues that eliminating the funding midstream disrupts care and undermines years of investments to improve school safety, mental health outcomes, and student success.

Key Takeaways:

• The U.S. Department of Education's decision to terminate grants for school-based mental health services is facing a multistate lawsuit, with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joining the amicus brief.
• The affected grants, the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program and the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program, were created to increase the number of mental health professionals in schools.
• The coalition argues that eliminating the funding midstream would disrupt care and undermine years of investments in school safety, mental health outcomes, and student success.
• The lawsuit also challenges the Department of Education's decision to cut congressionally approved funding for mental health programs in K-12 schools in Michigan, affecting three recipients: the Michigan Department of Education, Grand Valley State University, and the Lansing School District.
• Michigan is already facing a critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals, with the non-continuation decision worsening these shortages and leaving students with less access to essential mental health support in schools.
• The amicus brief argues that the Department's action violates the Administrative Procedure Act, disregards federal grant regulations, and fails to consider the irreparable harm to students, especially in rural and underserved communities.

Statistics:

• Three recipients in Michigan are affected by the Department's decision to cut congressionally approved funding for mental health programs.
• The grants affected, the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program, were created to place more licensed mental health professionals in schools.
• Michigan is facing a critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals, with a worsening shortage expected due to the Department's decision.
• 8 states, including Michigan, have joined the coalition to file the amicus brief in support of the lawsuit.

Sources:

• State of Michigan news release
• U.S. Department of Education's decision to terminate grants for school-based mental health services
• Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico lawsuit