# The ASSIST Act: Getting Mental Health Support Into Schools

This bill makes it easier and more affordable for states to provide mental health and substance abuse counseling services in schools. Right now, when schools want to hire counselors, psychologists, or other mental health professionals, states have to pay a significant portion of the cost themselves. This bill changes that by having the federal government cover 90 percent of the cost for these services when they're provided in schools or school-based health centers, rather than the lower percentage states currently receive for other Medicaid services.

The practical effect is that schools would have more money available to hire and keep mental health professionals on staff. Instead of a school district having to choose between hiring a counselor or a teacher, federal funding would cover most of the counselor's salary. This could mean more students actually get access to someone they can talk to about anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or other mental health issues without having to leave school or wait for an appointment at an outside clinic.

The bill also creates a grant program where the federal government gives money directly to school districts, colleges, and school-based health centers to hire more mental health professionals. Schools would need to show they understand their students' mental health needs and that they're hiring counselors and therapists who can work effectively with their specific student populations. Schools would then report back on how many mental health professionals they hired, what services they provided, and whether they were able to keep these professionals on staff long-term.

One important limitation: the bill specifically says this money cannot be used for threat assessment teams, meaning it's focused on counseling and treatment rather than security or surveillance programs.

ASSIST Act

Castor, Kathy

Advancing Student Services In Schools Today Act or the ASSIST ActThis bill establishes programs and requirements to support the provision of mental health and substance use disorder services at schools.Specifically, the bill provides for a 90% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) under Medicaid for services that are furnished by mental health and substance use disorder providers at schools or school-based health centers. Qualifying services include those provided by school counselors, social workers, and psychologists.&nbsp;The bill also establishes a grant program to increase the number of mental health and substance use disorder providers at schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.