Appeals Court Upholds Funding for School Mental Health Services
A federal appeals court recently affirmed a lower court’s ruling that prevented the Trump administration from cutting mental health funding, stating that doing so would likely increase racial and gender tensions.
While the administration indicated that funding would continue through the end of the year, it announced that it would not be renewed next year. However, judges appointed by Biden have now prohibited the suspension of these subsidies. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit noted that the administration did not adequately demonstrate a likelihood of success and suggested that a final verdict would soon come from a district court, as reported by The Hill.
This decision comes despite ongoing policy implementations. The new grants specifically bar practices related to “gender ideology, political activism, racial stereotypes, or creating a hostile environment for students of any race.” The objective of these grants is to enhance the presence of mental health professionals in schools.
The Department of Education has not commented on the matter.
Sixteen states led by Democratic governors have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, claiming that the termination of funding in June hindered schools’ ability to provide essential services that impact students’ health, safety, and academic achievements. The states argue that this termination breaches the Department’s General Educational Provisions Act (GEPA), which requires grant applicants to address equity issues.
The Trump administration initially launched these mental health service grants in response to the Parkland shooting in 2018. The Biden administration adopted the program in 2022, emphasizing initiatives that foster culturally inclusive and identity-safe educational settings, and promoting partnerships with historically Black and tribal colleges, as well as institutions for minority students.
While GEPA addresses obstacles related to gender, race, disability, and other factors, the Biden administration extended its equity definition to also encompass aspects like gender identity.
