Act Now! Contact your representatives to RESTORE the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding - H.R. 3210 The Department of Education Announces Cancellation of $1 Billion in Mental Health Funding May 6, 2025 The Department of Education cancelled $1 billion in school mental health funding, including grants to support counselor professional development and recruitment, due to opposition to grant language that encouraged diversifying the mental health workforce. Grant recipients learned on April 29 that funding, which had been lawfully allocated under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, was being cancelled and that they would have to reapply for funding. Funding will continue this year, but recipients must reapply for funding beyond this year. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was an anti-gun violence bill signed by President Biden. It provided funds to help schools hire more mental health professionals, including counselors. The funding was also used to support the professional development of the workforce and foster students’ sense of connection and engagement. This cancellation will disrupt essential funding, upending counselors’ livelihoods and cutting critical mental health support for schools. Please join NABC in calling Congress to help RESTORE the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding. Please share if you have been personally impacted by this funding cancellation and how that will impact you and your community. If you would like to get more involved in NABC’s advocacy efforts, contact Angele Moss-Baker at advocacyandlegislative@nabcounselors.org. |