The Department of Education announced that it will cut funding for mental health services provided to qualifying school districts across the United States. These funding cuts eliminate services staff who support at-risk youth and help prevent emergency events, like school shootings. The Department of Education mental health cuts come amid sweeping service cuts under the second Trump administration.
Funding for these mental health services began following the Uvalde, TX school shootings in 2022. The announced cuts will remove 1 billion dollars of aide that were provided to many school districts needing support. The grants intended to last until December, 2027, but these cuts discontinue funding after December, 2025.
Funds provide counseling and social workers for school-based mental health services. These services intend to help children in high stress environments or difficult life situations. They also target children bullying victims or those facing isolation.
Why make Department of Education mental health cuts? The Department informed qualifying school districts that the Biden administration violated the purpose of civil rights law by providing these funds. An official statement claimed funds are used to implement DEI practices that lack evidence. However, proponents of the bill assert that evidence-based services continue to be provided.
The move shocked many politicians and school administrators. First, the bill providing these funds had broad bipartisan support. Heck, they even named it the “2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act”.
Many administrators reported their districts and students benefit greatly from these programs. And most Americans believe school is a crucial place to identify and support children with mental health needs. Department of Education mental health cuts also leave administrators and therapists in those positions unemployed beginning in 2026.
Whether the Courts or Congress will make attempts to intervene remains to be seen. For now, school districts must seek funding elsewhere for these programs or shut them down altogether.
