A federal court issued an injunction on Monday blocking the Trump Administration’s plan to cut federal funding for K-12 student mental health services, ruling that the move likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The challenge was led by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 15 other attorneys general after the administration moved to scale back a bipartisan allocation passed after the Uvalde shooting that supplied $1 billion for school-based mental health programs, according to the Department of Attorney General.
The National Association of School Psychologists has noted that the money has supported services for roughly 775,000 students and enabled the hiring of around 1,300 mental health professionals, with data showing declines in suicidality, absenteeism, and behavioral issues. Michigan was among the states told on April 29 that grants would be halted and faced the loss of about $5 million planned for counselors, social workers, and psychologists through the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley State University, a cut officials say would worsen an already severe staffing gap, as reported by the Department of Attorney General.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington to challenge the Trump Administration’s move to reduce federally approved funding for student mental health services, arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. “Rescinding congressionally-approved funds – this time to address the mental health crisis in our schools – is illegal, and I am relieved that another Court has agreed,” Nessel said, adding that the group will continue efforts to protect and recover the funds, as stated by the Department of Attorney General.
