Rep. Sewell leads letter demanding DOE reinstate school mental health funding

Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell, AL-07, Lucy McBath, GA-06, and Salud Carbajal, CA-24, led a letter demanding that U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon immediately reinstate $1 billion in grant funding established under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to expand school-based mental health services. Birmingham City Schools were previously awarded $15 million through the grant program to hire and train mental health professionals and expand access to services for students.

“As you know, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was signed into law following the murder of nineteen students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24th, 2022. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives 234-193 and the U.S Senate in a vote of 65-33, showing strong support for the bill from both parties,” the Members wrote.

“It is unacceptable for these grants to be discontinued for arbitrary political reasons while gun violence continues to be the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the United States. Students, teachers, and families across the country deserve better,” the Members continued. “We demand that these grants be immediately reinstated and that you commit to implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act as Congress intended.”

A full copy of the letter to Secretary McMahon can be found here.