Early Childhood Mental Health Support Act
Sponsored By: Representative DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]
Introduced
Summary
Would bring evidence-based mental health supports to children in Head Start and Early Head Start. This bill would require HHS to identify trauma-informed, tiered interventions and promote their use through grants, training, and program evaluation.
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- Children and families: Would prioritize interventions shown to improve social, emotional, or cognitive development and that link to later mental health or substance use outcomes. It also allows services for adults or families when those services benefit the child.
- Head Start programs and staff: Would provide grants to participating Head Start agencies across urban, suburban, and rural areas and supply guidance, tools, and voluntary evaluation methods. The bill would also set credentials for providers and support staff wellness and training.
- Federal oversight and training hubs: HHS would complete initial reviews within 2 years and develop methods to evaluate long-term savings and implementation. The bill authorizes $100.0 million for 2027–2036 to fund grants, Best Practice Centers, and technical assistance.
*Would authorize $100.0 million in appropriations for 2027–2036 to support implementation and training, which would increase federal spending if Congress appropriates the funds.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants and funding for Head Start
If enacted, the bill would authorize $100,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal years 2027 through 2036 to support grants, evaluations, and Best Practice Centers for Head Start. The money would remain available until spent but would still require Congress to appropriate the funds. HHS would award grants to Head Start agencies to implement the reviewed interventions and must reach grantees in urban, suburban, and rural areas. HHS could also fund up to 5 university-based Best Practice Centers to train staff and agencies.
New Head Start mental health guidance
If enacted, HHS would identify and review evidence-based behavioral health interventions for Head Start and Early Head Start. The review would include child-focused programs, staff wellness supports, trauma-informed approaches, and credential guidance for who can deliver them. HHS would consult federal agencies and outside experts, solicit public input, and report to Congress within 1 year and every 5 years after that. HHS would also develop a voluntary, low-burden evaluation method and provide tools and technical help, with initial methods and determinations due within 2 years and updates at least every 5 years.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]
CA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov