,i #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cedi ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #be1 #bjba,mr4 ,trone introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor ,a ,,bill ,to direct the ,secretary of ,education to establish a pilot grant program to develop1 implement1 and evaluate comprehensive mental health services programs in elementary schools and secondary schools1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,comprehensive ,mental ,health in ,schools ,pilot ,program ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,mental health pilot grant program 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the program established under this section are to-- 7#a7 prioritize1 with respect to all elementary school and secondary school students-- 7,a7 academic1 cognitive1 social-emotional1 and identity development2 7,b7 mental and behavioral health2 and 7,c7 physical health2 7#b7 meet the priorities described in paragraph 7#a7 by intervening with equitable multi-tier systems of support2 7#c7 support measurable outcomes1 which focus on continuous improvement instead of punitive measures2 7#d7 ensure equitable access to high-quality1 safe1 and supportive learning environments2 7#e7 integrate the teaching of social1 emotional1 and cognitive learning skills and competencies throughout all aspects of the elementary school and secondary school environments1 including through standalone measures2 7#f7 use evidence-based instructional materials1 practices1 programs1 and resources to implement the practices described in paragraph 7#e72 7#g7 build expertise among trusted adults with respect to responding to the mental and behavioral health needs of students in elementary school and secondary school communities1 including teachers1 administrators1 specialized instructional support personnel1 paraprofessionals1 other staff1 parents1 and caregivers2 and 7#h7 hire a full complement of mental and behavioral health professionals to ensure an appropriate ratio of students to such professionals4 7b7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a pilot grant program to award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to local educational agencies to-- 7#a7 establish1 develop1 implement1 and evaluate a comprehensive1 multi-tier system of support with respect to mental and behavioral health services programs in elementary schools and secondary schools served by such local educational agencies2 and 7#b7 fully fund comprehensive mental and behavioral health services in such elementary schools and secondary schools4 7c7 ,consultation and assistance ,in establishing the program under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 consult with nationally-recognized organizations that identify1 support1 and advocate for evidence-based social-emotional learning policy and practices and multi-tier systems of support within elementary schools and secondary schools2 7#b7 consult with nationally recognized organizations-- 7,a7 with expertise in child1 adolescent1 and developmental mental health2 and 7,b7 that identify1 support1 and advocate for evidence-based prevention of1 and intervention for1 child trauma2 and 7#c7 provide technical assistance to grant recipients with respect to implementation and execution of activities under this section4 7d7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,to be eligible for a grant under this section1 a local educational agency shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including-- 7,a7 a needs assessment2 7,b7 a plan to-- 7i7 during the grant period described in subsection 7f71 implement the activities described under subsection 7h72 and 7ii7 after the conclusion of the grant period described in subsection 7f71 maintain such activities2 and 7,c7 a cost assessment with respect to implementing the plan described in subparagraph 7,b74 7#b7 ,timing ,a local educational agency may only submit an application during the period-- 7,a7 beginning on the date that the ,secretary establishes the program under subsection 7b72 and 7,b7 ending on the date that is #abj days after the date described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,notification period ,the ,secretary shall notify each local educational agency that submits an application under this subsection of the decision to award1 or not award1 a grant to such agency not later than #ij days after the date that is the final day of the period described in paragraph 7#b77;,b74 7e7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to local educational agencies that-- 7#a7 serve high-poverty elementary schools and secondary schools2 and 7#b7 with respect to the services described in paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d7 of subsection 7h7-- 7,a7 provide such services within such elementary schools and secondary schools2 or 7,b7 provide an assurance1 in the application submitted under subsection 7d71 that such local educational agency will use grant funds awarded under this section to implement such services within such elementary schools and secondary schools4 7f7 ,grant period 7#a7 ,duration ,a grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of #d consecutive academic years4 7#b7 ,beginning of grant period ,the grant period described in paragraph 7#a7 shall begin on the date that is the first day of the first academic year beginning after the ,secretary notifies each local educational agency under subsection 7d77#c74 7g7 ,supplement not supplant ,grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement1 not supplant1 other ,federal1 ,state1 or local funds available to carry out the activities described in subsection 7h74 7h7 ,grant uses ,a local educational agency shall use grant funds awarded under this section for the following activities3 7#a7 ,evaluating the needs of the elementary schools and secondary schools served by such local educational agency with respect to the activities described in paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#d74 7#b7 ,implementing1 in consultation with teachers and school mental and behavioral health professionals1 evidence-based universal social-emotional learning programs1 approaches1 and supports1 including by-- 7,a7 incorporating principles of motivation and engagement and resiliency training into class instruction2 7,b7 promoting connections by establishing regular collaboration and communication between and among students1 parents1 caregivers1 and staff2 7,c7 promoting a safe1 equitable1 supportive1 and healthy school climate that is racially1 culturally1 developmentally1 and linguistically responsive to encourage positive behavior and academic engagement2 7,d7 establishing racially1 culturally1 developmentally1 and linguistically appropriate evidence-based trauma-informed and trauma-competent practices to support students and staff2 7,e7 establishing evidence-informed psychological supports for students and staff to promote a sense of agency1 safety1 calmness1 self-efficacy1 mindfulness1 and coping skills2 and 7,f7 adopting positive1 non-punitive1 restorative policies to address challenging behaviors1 discipline1 and de-escalation1 focused on developing1 maintaining1 and repairing relationships in place of utilizing retributive and exclusionary practices4 7#c7 ,implementing targeted interventions that are equitable for all students and that support emotional management1 goal setting1 and establishing routines and consistency1 including-- 7,a7 evidence-based and trauma-informed screening and referral to mental and behavioral health services2 7,b7 small groups for support1 problem-solving1 and strengthening collaborations2 7,c7 peer support groups2 7,d7 parent and caregiver engagement2 7,e7 periodic check-in meetings with students during the regular school day2 7,f7 by monitoring for evidence of food insecurity1 homelessness1 neglect1 and abuse1 including with respect to disadvantaged students2 and 7,g7 personalized learning experiences1 accommodations1 modifications1 and technical supports as appropriate for students4 7#d7 ,implementing intensive supports1 including-- 7,a7 individualized intervention and support from school-based professionals2 7,b7 by hiring such school-based professionals2 and 7,c7 ongoing evidence-based and trauma-informed progress monitoring of students and intervention based on such monitoring4 7#e7 ,providing professional development for teachers and other school staff with respect to-- 7,a7 developing a healthy learning climate1 including through positive classroom management1 enhancing empathy and respect1 and promoting a sense of belonging for students2 7,b7 integrating social and emotional learning1 motivation and engagement1 and resiliency training into classroom instruction and practices2 7,c7 the impact of adverse childhood experiences and traumatic experiences on the health and development of students2 7,d7 evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches to teaching and managing student behavior2 7,e7 racially1 culturally1 developmentally1 and linguistically appropriate techniques for providing more agency to students2 7,f7 implicit bias and restorative justice practices2 and 7,g7 racially1 culturally1 developmentally1 and linguistically responsive teaching4 7i7 ,evaluation 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 not later than #a year before the last day of the grant period described in subsection 7f71 enter into a contract with a nationally-recognized educational evaluation institution or organization2 and 7,b7 not later than #a year after the conclusion of the grant period described in subsection 7f71 coordinate with such institution or organization to provide an evaluation of the pilot grant program1 including-- 7i7 a determination with respect to the sufficient ratio of school-based professionals to students2 7ii7 information with respect to the practices used by local educational agencies to improve the mental and behavioral well-being of students2 7iii7 information with respect to increased competencies among teachers and other school staff on social and emotional learning and trauma-informed practices2 7iv7 data on the mental and behavioral health outcomes of students1 in the aggregate and disaggregated by-- 7,i7 race and ethnicity2 7,,ii7 gender2 7,,iii7 sexual orientation2 7,,iv7 status as an ,english learner2 and 7,v7 status as a student with a disability2 and 7v7 a recommendation as to whether such program should be continued or expanded4 7#b7 ,publication ,the ,secretary shall make the evaluation required under paragraph 7#a7 publicly available on the website of the ,department4 7#c7 ,report ,not later than #fj days after the completion of the evaluation required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the outcome of the pilot grant program1 including a recommendation with respect to continuing or expanding the program4 7j7 ,continuation of program 7#a7 ,applications ,if the evaluation required under subsection 7i77#a7 contains a recommendation that the pilot grant program should be continued or expanded1 the ,secretary-- 7,a7 may continue or expand such program2 and 7,b7 if such program is expanded or continued-- 7i7 shall allow a local educational agency that did not receive a grant under the pilot program established under this section to apply for a grant in accordance with subsection 7d77#a72 and 7ii7 shall allow a local educational agency that received a grant under the pilot program established under this section to apply for a renewal of such grant for an additional period of #d consecutive academic years4 7#b7 ,evaluation ,not later than #a year after the first grant is awarded or renewed after the continuation or expansion of the program1 the ,secretary shall coordinate with the institution or organization described in subsection 7i77#a77;,a7 to provide an evaluation of the renewal of the pilot grant program4 7#c7 ,publication ,the ,secretary shall make the evaluation required under paragraph 7#b7 publicly available on the website of the ,department4 7#d7 ,report ,not later than #fj days after the completion of the evaluation required under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the progress of the renewal or expansion of the program4 7k7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #bj1jjj1jjj1 for fiscal year #bjbb1 to be available until expended4 7l7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,,esea terms ,the terms ,department1 elementary school1 multi-tier system of supports1 and ,secretary have the meanings given such terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#b7 ,school-based professional ,the term school-based professional means a behavioral specialist or mental health specialist4