In April 2022, the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) organized more than 170 advocates across 36 states to sign a coalition letter urging Congress to invest $1 billion in this year’s federal budget to increase trauma-informed resources and improve access to mental health professionals in America’s schools.
This work has paid off.
In June, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee released their draft Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) spending legislation, which included CTIPP’s request to:
Provide $1 billion for the Safe Schools National Activities Program to support the School-Based Mental Health Professionals Demonstration Grant and the School-Based Mental Health Services Program (consistent with the President’s budget request)
Divide that $1 billion between the programs to provide continuation grants to existing grantees and support new competitions so that even more schools can benefit from these programs
Encourage a trauma-informed approach so that schools can undertake the shift to recognize, understand, and address the learning needs and wellbeing of students and staff throughout the school environment impacted by trauma
The legislation passed out of the House Appropriations Committee markup and heads for a vote before the full U.S. House of Representatives. Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro hopes to pass her FY23 spending bills before the upcoming August recess, though many are skeptical if the Chamber can meet that deadline.
CTIPP worked closely on this request with Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), Donald Panye, Jr. (D-NJ-10), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), as well as the National Association of School Psychologists, and will continue organizing and advocating for its inclusion in the final FY23 legislation.
We celebrate this victory with gratitude for our dedicated advocates across the country who make this work possible. We will surely enjoy more wins ahead, as we continue to grow and advance the movement alongside talented and thoughtful leaders.
If you're interested in learning more about federal legislation or the federal budget process (appropriations), schedule a Chat & Chew with Jen for one-on-one discussion.
Jen Curt serves as the Director of Government Affairs at the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice.
Originally published on ctipp.org.
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