Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Congress

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

Birmingham City Schools were previously awarded $15 million through the grant program to hire and train mental health professionals.

Rep. Terri Sewell speaks at a Birmingham City Schools event.

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.

The Alabama Political Reporter is a daily political news site devoted to Alabama politics. We provide accurate, reliable coverage of policy, elections and government.

More from APR

Congress

Her legislation to ensure seniors' access to cutting-edge cancer screenings cleared a key hurdle.

Congress

Sewell welcomed cancer advocates, highlighting legislation to ensure access to cutting-edge early detection screenings for seniors.

Congress

Sewell expressed disappointment that Republicans abandoned the bipartisan tradition of defense funding.

Congress

This legislation would pause impending funding reductions to give Congress and the industry time to develop a better, more sustainable payment system.