Today, Senator Reverend Warnock reintroduced the Advancing Student Services in Schools Today (ASSIST) Act to establish a new grant program to hire and retain mental health providers in schools

Senator Warnock has long been an advocate for strengthening mental health resources and for expanding Medicaid, which would provide mental health resources to millions who fall in the health care coverage gap

Senator Reverend Warnock: “We know the importance of treating our mental health just as we treat our physical health: free from stigma, which is why the ASSIST Act is so important. We must do everything we can to provide our students with the tools to battle the mental health epidemic”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) reintroduced the Advancing Student Services in Schools Today (ASSIST) Act. The legislation would increase federal Medicaid funding for school-based mental health services and establish a grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to hire and retain mental health professionals in schools, helping increase mental health services, resources, and accessibility.

“We know the importance of treating our mental health just as we treat our physical health: free from stigma, which is why the ASSIST Act is so important. We must do everything we can to provide our students with the tools to battle the mental health epidemic,” said Senator Warnock. “As the father of two young children, I understand why schools must have the resources to ensure students can learn and grow in their classrooms.”

“Our students are the next generation of leaders, innovators, and community builders. Yet, our nation is in the midst of a mental health crisis, with alarming increases in youth suicide and overdose rates,” said Senator Luján. “As more high school students report feeling sadness and loneliness, we have a responsibility to act. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Advancing Student Services in Schools Today Act to ensure students have access to the mental health care they need and deserve.”

“Children across the United States are facing a historic mental health crisis — nearly half of all adolescents have experienced a mental health disorder in their lifetimes,” said Senator Padilla. “As a father of three school-aged boys, I understand the importance of investing in mental health resources at our schools so that our children do not have to suffer in silence. As Republicans threaten cuts to critical Medicaid services, the ASSIST Act would make sure the federal government does its part in funding school support systems that help keep our students healthy and successful.”

“Instead of ripping health care away from children to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, Congress should ensure that children can access the mental and behavioral health care they need,” said Representative Kathy Castor, who is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “Medicaid plays a critical role in children’s mental health, bolstering school-based services that benefit all students. Making care convenient for kids is key to improving mental health outcomes and reducing substance use disorders among youth, an issue that has been growing for decades. I hear from students, parents, teachers and health care providers across Florida that the significant shortage of mental and behavioral health professionals is delaying or preventing our neighbors from receiving the care they need. I’m proud to co-lead the ASSIST Act with Senator Raphael Warnock which will help remove cost barriers for providers to care for children in our schools with a sustainable funding stream. This commonsense legislation is an example of a policy that Congress should be focusing on, and will make a real difference in keeping our students safe, healthy, engaged and on the right track to a successful future.”

Under this new initiative, schools will be able to apply for federal grants that will provide new funding for mental health and substance use disorder care services. Schools will also be eligible for increased federal Medicaid funding for these services, through the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). This FMAP boost would cover 90% of the expenses toward hiring and training mental health and substance use disorder care providers in schools and school-based health centers—potentially increasing the pay for these mental health professionals. Additionally, because this competitive grant program would be funded through Medicaid, it would be less vulnerable to cuts in the annual government funding process. This consistent funding stream would help keep mental health professionals in schools, allowing them to build stronger relationships with students and the school’s broader community.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023, 40% students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Tragically, 20% of students seriously considered attempting suicide, and nearly 1 in 10 attempted suicide. This alarming data highlights the need for better behavioral health services for students, particularly in the school setting, where those services are more accessible.

Senator Warnock has long prioritized increasing mental health services for students, young people, and adults, highlighting the need to remove any and all stigma associated with mental health care. Senator Warnock has also long fought to expand Medicaid, in part for the increased accessibility to mental healthcare. Most recently, Senator Warnock published a newreport, “Healthy People, Healthy Economy” that found that placing bureaucratic red tape between working people and their health care will lead to hospital closures, job loss, and economic slowdown. In 2021, Senator Warnock introduced a package of legislation supporting mental health care. The slate of five bills aimed to improve and expand access to mental health care for all Georgians and Americans. The legislative package, which included the ASSIST Act, also included the Improving Access to Tele-Behavioral Health Services Act, the Crisis Counseling Act, the Behavioral Health Coordination and Communication Act, and the Behavioral Health Resolution.

In addition to Senator Warnock, the ASSIST Act is cosponsored by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Tina Smith (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The bill text for the ASSIST Act is HERE.

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