Skip to content
Govbase
Govbase
Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7798

Rep. Moore Proposes $500 Million to Help High-Need Schools Hire More Social Workers

School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act

19 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill creates a new federal grant program to help high-need school districts hire and keep school social workers. It authorizes $100 million per year for five years (2026–2030), totaling $500 million, to fund positions in districts that serve the most vulnerable students.

    From policy text

    “There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.”
    View in full text
  • The goal is to reach a ratio of at least one school social worker for every 250 students, following national recommendations. In schools where most students have intensive needs, the target is even more ambitious — one social worker for every 50 students.

    From policy text

    “increase access to mental health and other student support services to students in elementary and secondary schools in the United States to the minimum ratios recommended by the National Association of Social Workers and the School Social Work Association of America of 1 school social worker for every 250 students, and 1 school social worker for every 50 students when a social worker is providing services to students with intensive needs”
    View in full text
  • Social workers funded by these grants would provide counseling, crisis intervention, trauma-informed services, and help students and families overcome barriers like homelessness, food insecurity, and lack of transportation. They would also make home visits and coordinate community resources.

    From policy text

    “working with students, families, schools, and communities to address barriers to educational attainment (such as homelessness and housing insecurity, lack of transportation, food insecurity, equity, social justice issues, access to quality education, and school, family, and community risk factors)”
    View in full text
  • The bill also establishes a National Technical Assistance Center for School Social Work to study best practices, collect data on social work outcomes, and help states and tribes build their school social work workforce.

    From policy text

    “The Secretary of Education, acting through the Assistant Secretary, shall establish an evaluation, documentation, dissemination, and technical assistance resource center to provide appropriate information, training, and technical assistance to States, political subdivisions of States, federally recognized Indian tribes, tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, State and local educational agencies”
    View in full text
  • Grants last up to four years and can be renewed, but the money must supplement — not replace — existing federal, state, or local funding for social workers. Only high-need districts are eligible, and contractors may only be hired as a last resort if districts cannot recruit enough employees.

    From policy text

    “Funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement, and not to supplant, other Federal, State, or local funds used for hiring and retaining school social workers.”
    View in full text
EducationHealthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 4, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

End of fiscal year 2030

Authorization period ends after fiscal year 2030

Funding authority expires unless Congress renews it. Districts relying on these grants would need alternative funding sources or renewed federal support to keep their social workers.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act

Bill NumberHR 7798
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.