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President’s State of the Union calls for increased focus on student mental health

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President’s State of the Union calls for increased focus on student mental health

In his first State of the Union presented earlier this month, President Biden outlined a strategy to address the national mental health crisis that has come to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. Young people have been particularly impacted as losses from COVID and disruptions in routines and relationships have led to increased social isolation, anxiety, and learning loss. A study by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found that more than half of parents express concern over their children’s mental well-being. Prior to the pandemic in 2019, one in three high school students and half of female students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, an overall increase of 40 percent from 2009.
 
During his address to the nation, President Biden announced a national mental health strategy to strengthen system capacity, connect more Americans to care, and create a continuum of support –transforming our health and social services infrastructure to address mental health holistically and equitably. The president’s full mental health agenda takes a comprehensive approach, and specifically includes strategies that take into account the important role of community-based and youth-serving organizations in helping support young people in school and during the hours when school is out:

  • Embed and co-locate mental health and substance use providers into community-based settings. Expanding pathways to care also means creating new, low-barrier access points, in settings where Americans already live, work, and play. To that end, the president’s FY23 budget will include $50 million to pilot models that embed and co-locate mental health services into non-traditional settings like libraries, community centers, schools, and homeless shelters.
  • Expand access to mental health support in schools and colleges and universities. The Department of Education (ED) will continue to support states, school districts, colleges and universities, in using relief funds – including the more than $160 billion invested by the American Rescue Plan in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) – to address the mental health needs of students, including by training, recruiting, and retaining more school- and college and university-based mental health professionals. With the help of ESSER funds, schools have already seen a 65 percent increase in social workers, and a 17 percent increase in counselors. To help schools sustain these roles, the Department of Health and Human Services will make it easier for school-based mental health professionals to seek reimbursement from Medicaid, and the president’s FY23 budget will propose $1 billion to help schools hire additional counselors and school psychologists and other health professionals.
  • Set students up for success. When students struggle in school, it impacts their well-being. A comprehensive strategy to support student wellness must also include efforts to address the impact of the pandemic on student learning, particularly on students most impacted by the pandemic, and create supportive learning environments. ED will continue to help states and school districts use the $122 billion in ARP ESSER funds for this purpose. Specifically, the Department will help states and districts use the funds to provide high-quality afterschool and summer learning and enrichment programs and invest in other evidence-based strategies that will help our students recover from the pandemic. Districts nationwide are already using ARP ESSER funds to invest in these strategies. To support this work, we need more caring adults taking on roles supporting students. The president is calling on Americans nationwide to take on roles as tutors and mentors to help our students recover. The investments the president will propose in his FY23 budget will support and sustain efforts that set up students for success. This includes more than doubling funding for Title I, a ten-fold increase for the Full-Service Community Schools program, and an historic $3.3 billion increase for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act grants that support PK-12 children with disabilities and $450 million for IDEA PART C, which supports early intervention services for infants and toddlers.
  • Expand early childhood and school-based intervention services and supports. Half of all mental disorders begin before the age of 14. And when systems act to promote well-being at early developmental stages, youth reap the mental and emotional benefits for years to come. The American Rescue Plan dedicated millions of dollars to youth mental health. The president’s FY23 budget will build on that investment and propose to make historic investments in youth mental health services, including more than $70 million in infant and early childhood mental health programs. Additionally, the president’s FY23 budget will propose to dramatically expand funding for community schools by increasing funding for the Full-Service Community School program by more than $400 million dollars relative to current levels – a more than ten-fold increase. Community schools provide a range of wraparound supports to students and their families, including mental health services and other integrated student supports.
  • Increase mental health resources for justice-involved populations. The Department of Justice will expand funding and technical assistance to local communities and corrections systems to provide behavioral health care, case management services, family services, and other transitional programming for adults returning from incarceration into the community. 
  • Train social and human services professionals in basic mental health skills. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will launch a national effort to train housing counselors, housing-based services coordinators, and Fair Housing grantee staff to recognize the signs of emotional distress and to connect residents with mental health resources. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide training on mental health resources and communication strategies to Farm Production and Conservation Mission Area field employees, who serve farmers and ranchers, as well as incorporate updated mental health information into its online resource center for State, local and clinic staff administering the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). ED will continue to highlight the effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid training for educators, so that they can better support their students and one another. And the Department of Health & Human Services will provide additional training support to Head Start, Early Head Start, and home visiting grantees to spot and address mental health challenges among children.

Throughout the pandemic, surveys of afterschool providers have consistently found that afterschool and summer learning programs have been stepping up to meet the needs of young people, including helping to support their overall health and well-being. We are hopeful that the investments and strategies outlined by the president can leverage the out of school time field’s commitment to young people, with a goal of ensuring every student in America has the wrap around supports and engaging opportunities they need to be successful.

Trio of newly introduced bills align with recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month

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USDA proposed changes will increase access to summer meals in rural areas

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Comments requested on proposed changes to afterschool and summer meal nutrition standards

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Bipartisan Youth Workforce Readiness Act reintroduced in the Senate

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March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

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BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      02/23/23

Three new bills would support mentoring for student success

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With 2022 in the rearview mirror, we can also say farewell to the 117th Congress. The new Congress marks a return to ‘divided government’ with the White House and Senate being led by Democrats and the House of Representatives under the control of the Republican Party. What might the...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/09/23

Trio of newly introduced bills align with recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month

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BY: Erik Peterson      05/11/23

Secretary Cardona makes the case for robust education spending at House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing

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BY: Erik Peterson      04/21/23

Making the case for increasing 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding

On March 23, Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance Co-director Felicia Simpson testified at a hearing of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-E) Appropriations Subcommittee in support of increased funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning...

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March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

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BY: Erik Peterson      03/01/23

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BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      02/23/23

Three new bills would support mentoring for student success

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BY: Jillian Luchner      02/10/23

Mammoth spending bill includes support for afterschool, summer, mentoring, and more

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BY: Erik Peterson      01/23/23

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With 2022 in the rearview mirror, we can also say farewell to the 117th Congress. The new Congress marks a return to ‘divided government’ with the White House and Senate being led by Democrats and the House of Representatives under the control of the Republican Party. What might the...

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2022 Midterm Election Results: What could they mean for afterschool?

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Learning about summer learning

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BY: Guest Blogger      08/18/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

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BY: Guest Blogger      08/05/22

Roundup of afterschool in State Budgets Part 2

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BY: Chris Neitzey      07/21/22

For some, a summer of enrichment thanks to ARP dollars

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Jodi Grant testifies at House hearing in support of afterschool programs

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BY: Erik Peterson      03/28/22

President’s State of the Union calls for increased focus on student mental health

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BY: Erik Peterson      03/22/22

Mental health and wellness a popular topic in state legislatures in 2023

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BY: Chris Neitzey      05/11/23

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BY: Chris Neitzey      03/24/23

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BY: Chris Neitzey      03/07/23

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State elections bring new faces to governors mansions

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ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

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BY: Guest Blogger      08/05/22

Roundup of afterschool in State Budgets Part 2

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BY: Chris Neitzey      07/21/22

$120 million increase proposed for 21st CCLC as U.S. House Subcommittee continues FY2023 Appropriations process

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Roundup of afterschool in State Budgets

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BY: Chris Neitzey      06/07/22

Making the case for increasing 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding

On March 23, Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance Co-director Felicia Simpson testified at a hearing of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-E) Appropriations Subcommittee in support of increased funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/27/23

FY 2024 budget proposal is disappointing for 21st CCLC, but includes other afterschool related increases

Today the Biden administration released its FY 2024 discretionary budget request, formally kicking of the FY2024 appropriations process, while debate around raising the debt ceiling continues. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal requests $1,329,673 for the Nita M....

BY: Erik Peterson      03/09/23

March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

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BY: Erik Peterson      03/01/23

Mammoth spending bill includes support for afterschool, summer, mentoring, and more

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BY: Erik Peterson      01/23/23

Congress works to pass FY 2023 omnibus spending bill, increase afterschool and summer funding

Updated 1/3/2023: On Friday, Dec. 23 the House passed an omnibus appropriations bill by a 221-205-1 vote, following Senate passage by a 68-29 vote on Thursday, Dec. 22. The president signed the bill into law. The bill represents an increase from the $1.5 trillion appropriations...

BY: Erik Peterson      12/20/22

Senate Bill for FY 23 Appropriations proposes $85 million increase for 21st CCLC

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BY: Jillian Luchner      07/29/22

$120 million increase proposed for 21st CCLC as U.S. House Subcommittee continues FY2023 Appropriations process

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BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

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BY: Erik Peterson      05/09/22

Afterschool programs supported through Congressional Community Project Funding

When President Biden signed the FY 2022 federal spending bill last month, it included community project funding (previously known as earmarks) for the first time in more than 10 years. Community Project Funding (CPF) allows members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/05/22

Biden administration releases FY 2023 budget proposal, increases afterschool funding

Photo by Ana Lanza on Unsplash Today the Biden administration released its FY 2023 discretionary budget request, coming just weeks after Congress finished work on the much delayed FY 2022 spending bill. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal asks for a $21 million...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/28/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/18/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/05/22

$120 million increase proposed for 21st CCLC as U.S. House Subcommittee continues FY2023 Appropriations process

Update (6/24): The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee approved the FY23 spending bill detailed below along a party line vote the evening of June 23. This week, the House of Representatives continues the FY 2023 appropriations process with multiple subcommittee mark-ups. On...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

Jodi Grant testifies at House hearing in support of afterschool programs

This morning, Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant testified at a hearing of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-E) Appropriations Subcommittee in favor of increased funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/26/22

American Rescue Plan funds one year later: Support for afterschool, summer learning

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BY: Erik Peterson      04/15/22

Biden administration releases FY 2023 budget proposal, increases afterschool funding

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BY: Erik Peterson      03/28/22

Secretary of Education Cardona discusses his priorities, emphasizes student engagement

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BY: Erik Peterson      02/07/22

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BY: Jillian Luchner      12/07/21

House of Representatives passes Build Back Better Act

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BY: Erik Peterson      11/22/21

ARP ESSER state plans are in! More funds are hitting the ground at the state and local level

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BY: Jillian Luchner      11/11/21

March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

This year, early March means the release of the president’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year and the beginning of the FY 2024 appropriations process in Congress. Here's what we know so far about how this year’s process may roll out in the coming year.  On or...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/01/23

STEM education update: Good news and looking ahead

In the final weeks of 2022, Congress passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill to fund every agency through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2023. The bill was the product of weeks of negotiations and defense spending, supporting the CHIPS and Science Act and some policy issues attached to the bill took...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      02/23/23

Mammoth spending bill includes support for afterschool, summer, mentoring, and more

In December, the 117th Congress approved a $1.7 trillion bill that included a $40 million increase for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative and additional increases across the US Department of Education important to afterschool programs, public schools,...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/23/23

Opportunity: CCDF supplemental funds available for school-age programs

Now and over the next year, states are focusing on spending “child care CCDF supplemental funds” that must be obligated by 2023 and liquidated in 2024. State administrative agencies of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF, also known as CCDBG) recently faced three concurrent...

BY: Jillian Luchner      10/25/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/18/22

Congress works to address summer and school meal challenges before end of month deadline

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BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

$120 million increase proposed for 21st CCLC as U.S. House Subcommittee continues FY2023 Appropriations process

Update (6/24): The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee approved the FY23 spending bill detailed below along a party line vote the evening of June 23. This week, the House of Representatives continues the FY 2023 appropriations process with multiple subcommittee mark-ups. On...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

American Rescue Plan funds one year later: Support for afterschool, summer learning

A little more than one year ago, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law, providing billions in funding to support communities and youth impacted by the pandemic, and naming afterschool and summer learning programs as one strategy to invest in to support young people. So...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/15/22

Afterschool programs supported through Congressional Community Project Funding

When President Biden signed the FY 2022 federal spending bill last month, it included community project funding (previously known as earmarks) for the first time in more than 10 years. Community Project Funding (CPF) allows members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/05/22

Governors across the country signal support for afterschool in state budget requests

With a new year comes new support for afterschool programs. After an infusion of federal relief funds over the last two year to support education, including afterschool in summer programs, governors in a number of states are taking the next step to dedicate state funds towards afterschool...

BY: Chris Neitzey      02/11/22