Advancing Student Services in Schools Today (ASSIST) Act (Federal)

The Advancing Student Services in Schools Today (ASSIST) Act (S.2025) establishes a competitive grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services to hire and retain mental health professionals in schools.

School districts will be able to apply for federal grants that will provide new funding for mental health and substance use disorder care services through the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).

According to the CDC, in 2021:

-More than 42% of students felt persistently sad or hopeless;

-Nearly 29% of students experienced poor mental health;

-Over 20% seriously considered suicide;

-And, 9.5% attempted suicide.

Our kids need support and they need support where it is easily accessed. The ASSIST Act shows our commitment to kids by providing mental health resources in schools.