H.R. 3601 creates a new federal grant program called the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team (ACERT) grant program to help communities address the effects of childhood trauma and exposure to violence. The bill authorizes the Attorney General, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to distribute grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and community organizations to establish response teams that coordinate law enforcement, mental health services, and crisis intervention. Funded programs would focus on creating trauma-informed protocols, training first responders and educators, developing partnerships with behavioral health providers, and removing barriers to mental health services for affected children and families. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to support these grant programs. This approach targets a public health problem by integrating the criminal justice system with medical and social services to better support children who have experienced trauma.
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