H.R. 8979 — Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act

This section provides congressional findings on mental health conditions among children and adolescents, including that nearly 1 in 5 children ages 13 through 17 have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition, 20 percent of adolescents ages 12 to 17 reported anxiety symptoms and 18 percent reported depression symptoms in 2021–2023, 50 percent of lifetime mental illness cases begin by age 14, and recommended maximum ratios of 250 students per school counselor and 500 students per school psychologist.

This section defines terms used in the Act. It adopts the meanings given in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for elementary school, local educational agency, secondary school, State, State educational agency, high-need school, and outlying area. It defines school-based mental health services provider to include State-licensed or State-certified school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other qualified mental health professionals, as well as community-based mental health provider organizations. It defines Secretary as the Secretary of Education.

This section establishes a grant program to increase access to school-based mental health services providers at high-need schools. It reserves 0.5 percent of funds for the Bureau of Indian Education, 0.5 percent for outlying areas, and up to 2 percent for administration and technical assistance; awards remaining funds to states by Title I formula with a 0.5 percent small-state minimum; requires 20 percent state matching; and directs states to award competitive 5-year subgrants to local educational agencies to recruit and retain providers or contract with community centers, with priority for agencies serving many high-need schools and targets of 250 students per counselor, 500 per psychologist, and 250 per social worker.