Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a new federal grant program to help high-need public schools hire school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals. The funding flows from the federal government to states, and then to local school districts through competitive subgrants.
• The bill sets specific staffing targets based on professional recommendations: one counselor per 250 students, one psychologist per 500 students, and one social worker per 250 students. These ratios are far better than what most schools currently have.
• Congress would authorize $5 billion for the first year, with additional funding in later years as needed. States must chip in matching funds equal to 20% of what they receive from the federal government.
• The bill is built on alarming youth mental health data, noting that about one in five teens has been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition. Students with mental health conditions drop out of school at the highest rate of any disability group.
• Priority goes to school districts serving the most high-need schools, particularly those with the largest numbers of students from low-income families. The bill also reserves a small share of funding for Bureau of Indian Education schools and outlying areas like territories.