WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act to increase trauma support services and mental health care resources available to students. The bill authorizes grants designed to help schools improve how they address the complex needs of students coping with the devastating impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as parental addiction, abuse, and witnessing violence.
Research shows people with a history of exposure to trauma and ACEs have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Since 2000, suicide rates for youth and young adults ages 10 – 24 have increased by over 50%, and in 2021 alone, suicide was the second leading cause of death for this age group. By expanding the trauma and mental health services available to students, the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act aims to combat the rise in suicide among school-aged youth and assist schools in fully supporting the mental well-being of all students.
“I have seen first-hand the impact on students when trauma goes untreated. From learning loss to increased risk of prolonged mental illness – the lingering impacts can follow children well into adulthood,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “With the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act, we can directly provide support services to students that allow them to heal, move forward on their education journey and lead healthy lives.”
The Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act will:
- Develop or improve prevention, screening, referral, and treatment and support services to students;
- Implement schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports, or other trauma-informed models of support;
- Provide professional development to teachers, teacher assistants, school leaders, specialized instructional support personnel, and mental health professionals; and
- Engage with families and communities to increase awareness of child and youth trauma.
The Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act has been endorsed by the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Education Association.
“Trauma-informed schools are necessary to create learning environments where all children can thrive," said Jesse Kohler, Executive Director of the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP). "Research has shown that trauma-informed practices help address immediate mental health needs and lay a foundation for long-term academic success. This legislation is a crucial step in providing schools with more resources to tackle the youth mental health crisis head-on."
“Even before the pandemic, the United States had a youth mental health crisis. But the pandemic’s consequences have exacerbated loneliness, anxiety and so much more. Rep. Jahana Hayes’ bill is critical to addressing our kids’ well-being. It provides the funding for critical interventions; professional development for educators, school staff and mental health professionals; and resources for families to address the very real and complex challenges students face, from struggling with academics to the harms of social media. Investing in mental health services is investing in the future—a future where all students can thrive,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
A one-pager on the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act can be found here, and the full bill text can be found here.
In the 117th Congress, the Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act passed the House of Representatives as a part of the Mental Health Matters Act. The Mental Health Matters Act helps to rebuild schools and address the alarming mental health crisis plaguing the nation.