The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2024 creates a competitive grant program to help schools hire and retain mental health professionals like counselors, psychologists, and social workers. The grants target high-need school districts that serve low-income students and currently fall short of recommended staffing ratios, such as having fewer than one counselor for every 250 students. Schools can use the grant funding to directly hire mental health providers, recruit staff through incentives like student loan repayment and relocation assistance, and provide professional development to reduce staff turnover. Grant recipients must contribute at least 25 percent of project costs from non-federal sources and report annually on hiring outcomes and student-to-provider ratios. The bill authorizes funding for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, with reservations set aside for Native American schools, outlying territories, and program administration.
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