The U.S. Department of Education is attempting to strip $1 billion in mental health supports from schools, and Connecticut’s Attorney General Willian Tong and Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro and Jahana Hayes are doing their part to fight back.
Tong joined with a coalition of state attorneys general suing the U.S. Department of Education to stop illegal cuts to congressionally approved funding for mental health programs in K-12 schools, including more than $3 million to support social workers in Hartford, New Britain, Vernon, and Waterbury schools through 2029.
CEA President Kate Dias applauded Tong’s actions, saying, “In Connecticut alone, these vital funds have supported nearly 46,000 students. Cutting this funding is not only shortsighted and unjust—it’s reckless. Our kids depend on school-based mental health professionals now more than ever. We stand united with Tong and the 15 other states pursuing legal action, and we urge the court to block this dangerous decision.”
“This hurts kids who need us the most,” Tong said. “Once again, Trump is ignoring Congress to take money from kids and schools to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. Our kids desperately need mental health supports, and far too few of them are getting the help they need. Congress was right to establish this program, and we’re not going to let Trump steal these funds from our schools.”
Yesterday, Congresswoman DeLauro held a press conference at Mathewson Elementary School in Milford announcing that she, along with Congresswoman Hayes and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, have introduced the bipartisan Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act, legislation that would address the urgent need for mental health professionals in schools.
“I was inspired to create the School Based Mental Health Services Grants program after countless conversations with Connecticut parents, educators, and district leaders about the urgent need for more mental health professionals in schools,” DeLauro said. “We secured an additional $500 million through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to grow this critical program. Now, the Trump administration has announced plans to cancel $1 billion in school mental health funding for more than 200 school districts and states nationwide. Unlike President Trump, I will stand up for our children’s mental health. I’m proud to introduce the Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act to keep fighting for our kids.”
“Investing in the mental health of students is a critical step we can take for the future of our children,” said Hayes. “The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act will increase the number of qualified mental health professionals available to students, providing both preventative care and crisis intervention. We must ensure every school has the resources to provide students with the care they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.”
“Too many of our public schools, especially those in under-resourced districts, do not have enough school psychologists, social workers, and school counselors to support all of the children who need mental and behavioral health services,” Dias said. “For so many of our students, school is the only place where they can access these crucial supports. Right now we need more funding, not less, to support our students with the greatest needs. We look forward to working with Congresswoman DeLauro, Congresswoman Hayes, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle across the country to ensure school-based mental health services are available to every student who needs them.”
