• The Trump administration cancelled $1 billion in mental health grants authorized under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, citing concerns over diversity initiatives.
• Rochester Public Schools (RPS) is losing $1.9 million in funding, which will impact the training and licensing of mental health professionals for students.
• The cancellation has drawn criticism for disrupting programs and hindering efforts to address the increasing mental health needs of students.

The Trump administration's decision to halt $1 billion in mental health grants has raised concerns about the impact on student mental health support. The grants, authorized in 2022 under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, aimed to improve mental health services in schools following a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The Education Department cited concerns about the grant recipients focusing on diversity initiatives that were not evidence based practices. This decision affects schools like Rochester Public Schools (RPS), which is losing a $1.9 million grant crucial for training mental health professionals, amidst what school officials describe as a nationwide mental health crisis among students.

• What: The Trump administration has cancelled approximately $1 billion in federal grants allocated for school-based mental health programs.
• Who: The U.S. Department of Education, Rochester Public Schools (RPS), students, mental health practitioners, former President Joe Biden and President Trump
• When: The grants were authorized in 2022 under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Rochester Public Schools was notified on April 29, 2025, that funding would be terminated effective December 31, 2025.
• Where: The impact is nationwide, affecting schools and students across the United States, including Rochester Public Schools in Minnesota.

The cancellation of mental health grants by the Trump administration is a controversial move that has drawn criticism from educators and advocates. The administration justifies the decision by citing concerns about civil rights violations due to diversity initiatives, but critics argue that it undermines efforts to address the growing mental health crisis among students. The loss of funding disrupts ongoing programs and hinders the expansion of mental health services in schools, potentially leaving vulnerable students without crucial support. The cancellation also raises questions about the future of federal funding for mental health initiatives and the administration's commitment to addressing student well-being.

Under the deeply flawed priorities of the Biden administration, grant recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help.

a big step backward

would be a lost opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students who desperately need additional support to thrive in school and in life.

The Trump administration's decision to cancel approximately $1 billion in mental health grants signifies a major policy shift with far-reaching implications for schools and students across the nation. Justified by concerns over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the move has been criticized for disrupting crucial programs designed to address the escalating mental health crisis among students, particularly following the Uvalde school shooting where a bipartisan agreement had allocated funds for mental health support. The cancellation of these grants, which supported 260 recipients in 49 states and helped prepare over 14,000 mental health professionals, has triggered uncertainty about the future of school-based mental health services and the well-being of students. Schools now face the challenge of seeking alternative funding sources and may be forced to lay off social workers and counselors. The Department of Education intends to re-evaluate its approach to mental health support, but the immediate impact includes program disruptions, potential staff layoffs, and a compromised pipeline of mental health professionals. This policy shift raises concerns about the accessibility and quality of mental health services for students, especially those from diverse backgrounds who often rely on school-based support. The cuts have sparked debate over prioritizing diversity initiatives versus providing essential mental health services, leaving the mental health and overall well-being of students in a precarious state.