Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is joining a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education as it continues trying to end federal grants for school-based mental health services. The grants, which came from the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, have allowed for the hiring of 1,300 mental health professionals and supported 775,000 K-12 students across the country.

Background of the Lawsuit

The Department of Education initially discontinued the grants, arguing they reflected diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities that fell afoul of the Trump administration’s new interpretation of civil rights law. Tong and the other plaintiffs won an injunction in December to get the money back, but the department only awarded six months’ worth of funding and added new requirements for grantees.

Despite the ongoing injunction, the Department of Education is still trying to end those grants permanently — but under a different section of administrative law. The department is saying it can still “terminate” the grants under 2 C.F.R. § 200.340, despite the previous decision.

A hearing on whether “termination” and “discontinuation” are meaningfully distinct is set for July 24. According to the motion, if the court agrees the injunction does not cover the termination statute, the department could begin ending grants as early as July 31.

Impact on Students

Participating high-need schools have seen suicide rates drop by half and a reduction in other problematic behaviors. Students have also reported shorter wait-times for services. The plaintiffs, including Tong, have sued again, this time arguing the government cannot use § 200.340 to terminate grants, either.

Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.