42 USC 280 - Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings

Collapse to view only § 280h-7. Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings

§ 280h. Grants to promote childhood nutrition and physical activity
§ 280h-1. Applied research program
§ 280h-2. Education campaign
§ 280h-3. Health professional education and training
§ 280h-4. Grants for the establishment of school-based health centers
§ 280h-5. School-based health centers
§ 280h-6. Infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment
§ 280h-7. Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings
§ 280h-8. Recognizing early childhood trauma related to substance abuse

§ 280h. Grants to promote childhood nutrition and physical activity

(a) In general

(b) Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section a State or political subdivision of a State shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan that describes—

(1) how the applicant proposes to develop a comprehensive program of school- and community-based approaches to encourage and promote good nutrition and appropriate levels of physical activity with respect to children or adolescents in local communities;

(2) the manner in which the applicant shall coordinate with appropriate State and local authorities, such as State and local school departments, State departments of health, chronic disease directors, State directors of programs under section 1786 of this title, 5-a-day coordinators, governors councils for physical activity and good nutrition, and State and local parks and recreation departments; and

(3) the manner in which the applicant will evaluate the effectiveness of the program carried out under this section.

(1) develop, implement, disseminate, and evaluate school- and community-based strategies in States to reduce inactivity and improve dietary choices among children and adolescents;

(2) expand opportunities for physical activity programs in school- and community-based settings; and

(3) develop, implement, and evaluate programs that promote good eating habits and physical activity including opportunities for children with cognitive and physical disabilities.

(d) Technical assistance

The Secretary may set-aside an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year under subsection (h) to permit the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to—

(1) provide States and political subdivisions of States with technical support in the development and implementation of programs under this section; and

(2) disseminate information about effective strategies and interventions in preventing and treating obesity through the promotion of good nutrition and physical activity.

(e) Limitation on administrative costs

(f) Term

(g) Definition

(h) Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399W, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XXIV, § 2401, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1158.)

§ 280h–1. Applied research program

(a) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health, shall—

(1) conduct research to better understand the relationship between physical activity, diet, and health and factors that influence health-related behaviors;

(2) develop and evaluate strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity to be used in community-based interventions and by health professionals;

(3) develop and evaluate strategies for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia;

(4) conduct research to establish the prevalence, consequences, and costs of childhood obesity and its effects in adulthood;

(5) identify behaviors and risk factors that contribute to obesity;

(6) evaluate materials and programs to provide nutrition education to parents and teachers of children in child care or pre-school and the food service staff of such child care and pre-school entities; and

(7) evaluate materials and programs that are designed to educate and encourage physical activity in child care and pre-school facilities.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399X, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XXIV, § 2401, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1159.)

§ 280h–2. Education campaign

(a) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in collaboration with national, State, and local partners, physical activity organizations, nutrition experts, and health professional organizations, shall develop a national public campaign to promote and educate children and their parents concerning—

(1) the health risks associated with obesity, inactivity, and poor nutrition;

(2) ways in which to incorporate physical activity into daily living; and

(3) the benefits of good nutrition and strategies to improve eating habits.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399Y, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XXIV, § 2401, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1160.)

§ 280h–3. Health professional education and training

(a) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration and the heads of other agencies, and in consultation with appropriate health professional associations, shall develop and carry out a program to educate and train health professionals in effective strategies to—

(1) better identify and assess patients with obesity or an eating disorder or patients at-risk of becoming obese or developing an eating disorder;

(2) counsel, refer, or treat patients with obesity or an eating disorder; and

(3) educate patients and their families about effective strategies to improve dietary habits and establish appropriate levels of physical activity.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399Z, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XXIV, § 2401, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1160.)

§ 280h–4. Grants for the establishment of school-based health centers

(1) Program

(2) Eligibility

To be eligible for a grant under this section, an entity shall—

(A) be a school-based health center or a sponsoring facility of a school-based health center; and

(B) submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including at a minimum an assurance that funds awarded under the grant shall not be used to provide any service that is not authorized or allowed by Federal, State, or local law.

(3) Preference

(4) Limitation on use of funds

(5) Appropriations

(6) Definitions

(Pub. L. 111–148, title IV, § 4101(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 546.)

§ 280h–5. School-based health centers

(a) Definitions; establishment of criteriaIn this section:

(1) Comprehensive primary health servicesThe term “comprehensive primary health services” means the core services offered by school-based health centers, which shall include the following:

(A) Physical

(B) Mental health

(2) Medically underserved children and adolescents

(A) In general

(B) CriteriaThe Secretary shall prescribe criteria for determining the specific shortages of personal health services for medically underserved children and adolescents under subparagraph (A) that shall—

(i) take into account any comments received by the Secretary from the chief executive officer of a State and local officials in a State; and

(ii) include factors indicative of the health status of such children and adolescents of an area, including the ability of the residents of such area to pay for health services, the accessibility of such services, the availability of health professionals to such children and adolescents, and other factors as determined appropriate by the Secretary.

(3) School-based health centerThe term “school-based health center” means a health clinic that—

(A) meets the definition of a school-based health center under section 1397jj(c)(9)(A) of this title and is administered by a sponsoring facility (as defined in section 1397jj(c)(9)(B) of this title);

(B) provides, at a minimum, comprehensive primary health services during school hours to children and adolescents by health professionals in accordance with established standards, community practice, reporting laws, and other State laws, including parental consent and notification laws that are not inconsistent with Federal law; and

(b) Authority to award grants

(1) be an SBHC (as defined in subsection (a)(3)); and

(2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing—

(A) evidence that the applicant meets all criteria necessary to be designated an SBHC;

(B) evidence of local need for the services to be provided by the SBHC;

(i) SBHC services will be provided to those children and adolescents for whom parental or guardian consent has been obtained in cooperation with Federal, State, and local laws governing health care service provision to children and adolescents;

(ii) the SBHC has made and will continue to make every reasonable effort to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other health care providers in the catchment area of the SBHC;

(iii) the SBHC will provide on-site access during the academic day when school is in session and 24-hour coverage through an on-call system and through its backup health providers to ensure access to services on a year-round basis when the school or the SBHC is closed;

(iv) the SBHC will be integrated into the school environment and will coordinate health services with school personnel, such as administrators, teachers, nurses, counselors, and support personnel, as well as with other community providers co-located at the school;

(v) the SBHC sponsoring facility assumes all responsibility for the SBHC administration, operations, and oversight; and

(vi) the SBHC will comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning patient privacy and student records, including regulations promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and section 1232g of title 20; and

(D) such other information as the Secretary may require.

(d) Preferences and considerationIn reviewing applications:

(1) The Secretary may give preference to applicants who demonstrate an ability to serve the following:

(A) Communities that have evidenced barriers to primary health care and mental health and substance use disorder prevention services for children and adolescents.

(B) Communities with high per capita numbers of children and adolescents who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in public health insurance programs.

(C) Populations of children and adolescents that have historically demonstrated difficulty in accessing health and mental health and substance use disorder prevention services.

(2) The Secretary may give consideration to whether an applicant has received a grant under section 280h–4 of this title.

(e) Waiver of requirementsThe Secretary may—

(1) under appropriate circumstances, waive the application of all or part of the requirements of this subsection with respect to an SBHC for not to exceed 2 years; and

(2) upon a showing of good cause, waive the requirement that the SBHC provide all required comprehensive primary health services for a designated period of time to be determined by the Secretary.

(f) Use of funds

(1) FundsFunds awarded under a grant under this section—

(A) may be used for—

(i) acquiring and leasing equipment (including the costs of amortizing the principle of, and paying interest on, loans for such equipment);

(ii) providing training related to the provision of required comprehensive primary health services and additional health services;

(iii) the management and operation of health center programs;

(iv) the payment of salaries for physicians, nurses, and other personnel of the SBHC; and

(B) may not be used to provide abortions.

(2) Construction

(3) Limitations

(A) In general

(B) No overlapping grant period

(g) Matching requirement

(1) In general

(2) Waiver

(h) Supplement, not supplant

(i) Evaluation

(j) Age appropriate services

(k) Parental consent

(l) Technical assistance

(m) Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399Z–1, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title IV, § 4101(b), title X, § 10402(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 547, 975; Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title III, § 317, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2932; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title I, § 1401, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5699.)

§ 280h–6. Infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment

(a) GrantsThe Secretary shall—

(1) award grants to eligible entities to develop, maintain, or enhance infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment programs, including—

(A) programs for infants and children at significant risk of developing, showing early signs of, or having been diagnosed with mental illness, including a serious emotional disturbance; and

(B) multigenerational therapy and other services that support the caregiving relationship; and

(2) ensure that programs funded through grants under this section are evidence-informed or evidence-based models, practices, and methods that are, as appropriate, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and can be replicated in other appropriate settings.

(b) Eligible children and entitiesIn this section:

(1) Eligible childThe term “eligible child” means a child from birth to not more than 12 years of age who—

(A) is at risk for, shows early signs of, or has been diagnosed with a mental illness, including a serious emotional disturbance; and

(B) may benefit from infant and early childhood intervention or treatment programs or specialized preschool or elementary school programs that are evidence-based or that have been scientifically demonstrated to show promise but would benefit from further applied development.

(2) Eligible entityThe term “eligible entity” means a human services agency or nonprofit institution that—

(A) employs licensed mental health professionals who have specialized training and experience in infant and early childhood mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, or is accredited or approved by the appropriate State agency, as applicable, to provide for children from infancy to 12 years of age mental health promotion, intervention, or treatment services; and

(B) provides services or programs described in subsection (a) that are evidence-based or that have been scientifically demonstrated to show promise but would benefit from further applied development.

(d) Use of funds for early intervention and treatment programsAn eligible entity may use amounts awarded under a grant under subsection (a)(1) to carry out the following:

(1) Provide age-appropriate mental health promotion and early intervention services or mental illness treatment services, which may include specialized programs, for eligible children at significant risk of developing, showing early signs of, or having been diagnosed with a mental illness, including a serious emotional disturbance. Such services may include social and behavioral services as well as multigenerational therapy and other services that support the caregiving relationship.

(2) Provide training for health care professionals with expertise in infant and early childhood mental health care with respect to appropriate and relevant integration with other disciplines such as primary care clinicians, early intervention specialists, child welfare staff, home visitors, early care and education providers, and others who work with young children and families.

(3) Provide mental health consultation to personnel of early care and education programs (including licensed or regulated center-based and home-based child care, home visiting, preschool special education, and early intervention programs) who work with children and families.

(4) Provide training for mental health clinicians in infant and early childhood in promising and evidence-based practices and models for infant and early childhood mental health treatment and early intervention, including with regard to practices for identifying and treating mental illness and behavioral disorders of infants and children resulting from exposure or repeated exposure to adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma.

(5) Provide age-appropriate assessment, diagnostic, and intervention services for eligible children, including early mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment services.

(e) Matching funds

(f) Technical assistance

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399Z–2, as added Pub. L. 114–255, div. B, title X, § 10006, Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1267; amended Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title I, § 1402, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5699.)

§ 280h–7. Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings

(a) Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements authorized

(b) Duration

(c) Use of fundsAn entity that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall use amounts made available through such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement for evidence-based activities, which shall include any of the following:

(1) Collaborative efforts between school-based service systems and trauma-informed support and mental health service systems to provide, develop, or improve prevention, screening, referral, and treatment and support services to students, such as providing trauma screenings to identify students in need of specialized support.

(2) To implement schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports, or other trauma-informed models of support.

(3) To provide professional development to teachers, teacher assistants, school leaders, specialized instructional support personnel, and mental health professionals that—

(A) fosters safe and stable learning environments that prevent and mitigate the effects of trauma, including through social and emotional learning;

(B) improves school capacity to identify, refer, and provide services to students in need of trauma support or behavioral health services; or

(C) reflects the best practices for trauma-informed identification, referral, and support developed by the Task Force under section 7132.

(4) Services at a full-service community school that focuses on trauma-informed supports, which may include a full-time site coordinator, or other activities consistent with section 7275 of title 20.

(5) Engaging families and communities in efforts to increase awareness of child and youth trauma, which may include sharing best practices with law enforcement regarding trauma-informed care and working with mental health professionals to provide interventions, as well as longer term coordinated care within the community for children and youth who have experienced trauma and their families.

(6) To provide technical assistance to school systems and mental health agencies.

(7) To evaluate the effectiveness of the program carried out under this section in increasing student access to evidence-based trauma support services and mental health care.

(8) To establish partnerships with or provide subgrants to Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies), public and private preschool programs, child care programs (including home-based providers), or other entities described in subsection (a), to include such entities described in this paragraph in the evidence-based trauma initiatives, activities, support services, and mental health systems established under this section in order to provide, develop, or improve prevention, screening, referral, and treatment and support services to young children and their families.

(d) ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, an entity described in subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, which shall include the following:

(1) A description of the innovative initiatives, activities, or programs to be funded under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, including how such program will increase access to evidence-based trauma support services and mental health care for students, and, as applicable, the families of such students.

(2) A description of how the program will provide linguistically appropriate and culturally competent services.

(3) A description of how the program will support students and the school in improving the school climate in order to support an environment conducive to learning.

(4) An assurance that—

(A) persons providing services under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement are adequately trained to provide such services; and

(B) teachers, school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, representatives of local Indian Tribes or tribal organizations as appropriate, other school personnel, and parents or guardians of students participating in services under this section will be engaged and involved in the design and implementation of the services.

(5) A description of how the applicant will support and integrate existing school-based services with the program in order to provide mental health services for students, as appropriate.

(6) A description of the entities in the community with which the applicant will partner or to which the applicant will provide subgrants in accordance with subsection (c)(8).

(e) Interagency agreements

(1) Local interagency agreements

(2) ContentsIn ensuring the provision of the services described in subsection (c), the local interagency agreement shall specify with respect to each agency, authority, or entity that is a party to such agreement—

(A) the financial responsibility for the services;

(B) the conditions and terms of responsibility for the services, including quality, accountability, and coordination of the services; and

(C) the conditions and terms of reimbursement among such agencies, authorities, or entities, including procedures for dispute resolution.

(f) EvaluationThe Secretary shall reserve not more than 3 percent of the funds made available under subsection (l) for each fiscal year to—

(1) conduct a rigorous, independent evaluation of the activities funded under this section; and

(2) disseminate and promote the utilization of evidence-based practices regarding trauma support services and mental health care.

(g) Distribution of awards

(h) Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed—

(1) to prohibit an entity involved with a program carried out under this section from reporting a crime that is committed by a student to appropriate authorities; or

(2) to prevent Federal, State, and tribal law enforcement and judicial authorities from exercising their responsibilities with regard to the application of Federal, tribal, and State law to crimes committed by a student.

(i) Supplement, not supplant

(j) Consultation with Indian Tribes

(k) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Elementary school

(2) Evidence-based

(3) Native Hawaiian educational organization

(4) Local educational agency

(5) Regional Corporation

(6) School

(7) School leader

(8) Secondary school

(9) Secretary

(10) Specialized instructional support personnel

(11) State educational agency

(l) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, § 7134, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4051.)

§ 280h–8. Recognizing early childhood trauma related to substance abuse

(a) Dissemination of information

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall disseminate information, resources, and, if requested, technical assistance to early childhood care and education providers and professionals working with young children on—

(1) ways to properly recognize children who may be impacted by trauma, including trauma related to substance use by a family member or other adult; and

(2) how to respond appropriately in order to provide for the safety and well-being of young children and their families.

(b) Goals

The information, resources, and technical assistance provided under subsection (a) shall—

(1) educate early childhood care and education providers and professionals working with young children on understanding and identifying the early signs and risk factors of children who might be impacted by trauma, including trauma due to exposure to substance use;

(2) suggest age-appropriate communication tools, procedures, and practices for trauma-informed care, including ways to prevent or mitigate the effects of trauma;

(3) provide options for responding to children impacted by trauma, including due to exposure to substance use, that consider the needs of the child and family, including recommending resources and referrals for evidence-based services to support such family; and

(4) promote whole-family and multi-generational approaches to keep families safely together when it is in the best interest of the child.

(d) Rule of construction

Such information, resources, and if applicable, technical assistance, shall not be construed to amend the requirements under—

(1) the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.);

(2) the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.); or

(3) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).

(Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, § 7135, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4055.)