Congressman Dan Goldman Fights Shortage of Mental Health Professionals in Schools

The ‘Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act’ Would Provide Resources to Schools to Hire Mental Health Service Providers

Read the Bill Here

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) in introducing the ‘Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act’ to address the urgent need formental health professionals in schools. The bill would increase the number of mental health service providers in schools, particularly in high-need areas, by providing competitive grants to local educational agencies for recruitment, hiring, retention, and diversification of mental health service providers.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that we address the lack of mental health professionals in our schools,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “America’s children are going through an unprecedented mental health crisis that was intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools play a crucial role in addressing this challenge, so it's essential that we equip them with the resources needed to help our children and change the course of this crisis.”

The ‘Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act’ establishes a grant program that provides financial support and incentives for eligible agencies to attract qualified professionals to address shortages and improve access to mental health services. This legislation would also mandate annual reporting requirements for grant recipients to track the employment of mental health professionals and evaluate effectiveness.

Congressman Dan Goldman is fighting to expand access to mental health services and improve the American mental health care system.

Congressman Goldman introduced the ‘Michelle Alyssa Go Act’ to increase the number of federal Medicaid-eligible in-patient psychiatric beds for individuals who are seeking treatment for both mental health and substance use disorders.

Last year, Congressman Goldman cosponsored the ‘Student Suicide Prevention Act’ which would provide schools, teachers, administrators, and students nationwide with evidence-informed suicide prevention strategies, trainings, and tools to assist at-risk youth who are struggling with their mental health.

Congressman Goldman is a member of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.

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