The Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act establishes a federal grant program to address mental health provider shortages in low-income school districts through three complementary initiatives. The bill authorizes $200 million annually for a Graduate Pipeline Program that partners universities with struggling school districts to train counselors, psychologists, and social workers, covering tuition and new provider salaries for up to three years, while prioritizing students from high-need backgrounds such as English learners and foster youth. The legislation also creates a Student Loan Repayment Program that forgives up to $200,000 in federal student loans for recent graduates or career-changers who commit to five years working as school mental health providers in low-income districts. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Education to develop a formula within two years to identify regions with mental health provider shortages. Overall, the law aims to help low-income schools move toward the recommended ratio of one mental health professional per 250-500 students by building the supply of qualified providers and supporting their employment in under-resourced districts.
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