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HR3601119th CongressWALLET

National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act

Sponsored By: Representative Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

Introduced

Summary

A federal grant program for Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Teams (ACERTs) would fund local, cross-system efforts to identify children exposed to trauma and connect them to services. It aims to build partnerships among law enforcement, mental health, schools, and community groups to deliver trauma-informed responses.

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  • Families and children: Local ACERTs would help children exposed to violence or trauma get coordinated referrals and access to behavioral health and recovery services.
  • State, local, tribal, and community organizations: These groups could apply for grants to set up ACERTs, create referral agreements, train staff in trauma-informed care, and receive technical assistance.
  • Public safety and health systems: Grants support integrating law enforcement, child welfare, courts, emergency medical services, and substance-abuse treatment to improve coordinated responses to childhood trauma.

*It authorizes appropriations of $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to carry out the program.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for child trauma response teams

If enacted, this would set up a federal grant program for Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Teams. The Attorney General, with HHS, would award grants to States, local governments, Tribes, and community groups. Money could create teams, set protocols to link kids to care, and integrate police, health, and crisis services. It could fund referral agreements with treatment and recovery providers, training for responders and schools, and cross-system planning. It could also support finding barriers to care and giving technical help to communities and public agencies. The bill authorizes $10 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. Applicants would apply to the Attorney General.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

NH • D

Cosponsors

  • Rutherford

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/23/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/24/2025

  • Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

    KS • D

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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