Overview

• The Trump administration has formally discontinued $1 billion in school mental health grants initially funded by the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
• The Education Department stated that the grants violated civil rights law and conflicted with its policies on merit and fairness, citing DEI-related hiring goals as a key issue.
• The original grants aimed to expand school-based mental health services, including hiring psychologists and counselors, to address student needs exacerbated by the pandemic.
• Conservative activist Christopher Rufo publicized the decision, alleging the funds were used to advance biased DEI initiatives, including racial hiring quotas.
• Mental health advocates criticized the cuts, warning of reduced services for students, while the Department plans to introduce a re-envisioned funding process focused on evidence-based practices.