US Education Department will now fund mental health staff for specific schools, not just general programs

The US Education Department is changing how it awards grants for mental health services in schools. It will now prioritize funding for specific types of mental health professionals in high-need schools, rather than broader programs.

For years, federal grants for school mental health often went to general programs, not necessarily to address specific staff shortages. This change means money will now flow directly to hiring school psychologists and other mental health staff in the places that need them most. It shifts the focus from program development to filling actual job vacancies.