Sec. 203. Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings

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Part A of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: The Secretary is authorized to award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, Indian tribes or their tribal educational agencies, a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education, or a Regional Corporation (as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1602 )) for the purpose of increasing student access to quality trauma support services and mental health care by developing innovative programs to link local school systems with local trauma-informed support and mental health systems, including those under the Indian Health Service.

With respect to a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded or entered into under this section, the period during which payments under such grant, contract or agreement are made to the recipient may not exceed 5 years. An entity that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall use amounts made available through such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement for any of the following: To enhance, improve, or develop collaborative efforts between school-based service systems and trauma-informed support and mental health service systems to provide, enhance, or improve prevention, screening, referral, and treatment services to students.

To enhance the availability of trauma support services and school-based counseling programs, as well as provide appropriate referrals for students potentially in need of mental health services, and ongoing mental health services. To provide universal trauma screenings to identify students in need of specialized support. To implement multi-tiered positive behavioral interventions and supports, or other trauma-informed models of support. To provide training to teachers, teacher assistants, and other appropriate school personnel to develop safe, stable, and nurturing learning environments that prevent and mitigate the effects of trauma, including through social and emotional learning.

To provide training and professional development for the school personnel and mental health professionals to improve school capacity to identify, refer, and provide services, as appropriate, to students in need of trauma support or behavioral health services. To provide technical assistance and consultation to school systems and mental health agencies as well as to families participating in the program carried out under this section. To provide linguistically appropriate and culturally competent services.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the program carried out under this section in increasing student access to quality trauma support services and mental health care, and make recommendations to the Secretary about the sustainability of the program. To engage and utilize expertise provided by institutions of higher education, such as a Tribal College or University, as defined in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965. To provide trainings and implement procedures pursuant to the relevant best practices developed under section 101 of the Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act of 2016.

To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, an entity described in subsection

(a)shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, such as the following: A description of the program to be funded under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. A description of how such program will increase access to quality trauma support services and mental health care for students. A description of how the applicant will establish trauma support services or a school-based counseling program, or both, that provide immediate prevention and mental health services to the school community as necessary. An assurance that— persons providing services under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement are adequately trained to provide such services; the services will be provided in accordance with subsection (c); teachers, administrators, parents or guardians, representatives of local Indian tribes, and other school personnel are aware of the program; and parents or guardians of students participating in services under this section will be engaged and involved in the design and implementation of the services. An assurance that the applicant will support and integrate existing school-based services with the program in order to provide appropriate mental health services for students. An assurance that the applicant will establish a program that will support students and the school in improving the school climate in order to support an environment conducive to learning. A recipient of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall designate a lead agency to direct the establishment of an interagency agreement among local educational agencies, juvenile justice authorities, mental health agencies, and other relevant entities in the State, in collaboration with local entities, such as Indian tribes. The interagency agreement shall ensure the provision of the services described in subsection (c), specifying with respect to each agency, authority, or entity— the financial responsibility for the services; the conditions and terms of responsibility for the services, including quality, accountability, and coordination of the services; and the conditions and terms of reimbursement among the agencies, authorities, or entities that are parties to the interagency agreement, including procedures for dispute resolution. The Secretary shall evaluate each program carried out under this section and shall disseminate the findings with respect to each such evaluation to appropriate public, tribal, and private entities. The Secretary shall ensure that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements awarded or entered into under this section are equitably distributed among the geographical regions of the United States and among tribal, urban, suburban, and rural populations. Nothing in this section shall be construed— to prohibit an entity involved with a program carried out under this section from reporting a crime that is committed by a student to appropriate authorities; or to prevent State and tribal law enforcement and judicial authorities from exercising their responsibilities with regard to the application of Federal, tribal, and State law to crimes committed by a student. Any services provided through programs carried out under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, existing mental health services, including any services required to be provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall, in a timely manner, meaningfully consult, engage, and cooperate with Indian tribes and their representatives to ensure notice of eligibility. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2017 through 2022. .

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20 USC 7101
43 USC 1602

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Sec. 203

Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings

Cite20 USC 7101

Cite43 USC 1602

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