Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation that would help expand the workforce of mental health providers serving students in school. Through grants and student loan forgiveness, the bill incentivizes trained psychologists, social workers, and school counselors to serve low-income and rural schools.
“Nevada’s children deserve all the tools for academic and personal success. Yet our state faces a concerning shortage of school counselors and psychologists. With one in five children suffering from serious mental illness, this legislation would ensure low-income students in Nevada have access to the social and psychological supports they need to recover and thrive.”
BACKGROUND:
Under the Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act, the Department of Education will award grants to partnerships between educational agencies and graduate institutions to increase the number of school-based mental health services providers.
The Department will also provide tuition credits and student loan forgiveness to mental health professionals who obtain state certification or credentialing, complete their practicum, and work for five consecutive years in an underserved school district.