New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that a federal judge has largely approved her request for a preliminary injunction, preventing the Trump administration from ending federal funding for school-based mental health programs.
In a statement, James said: “Every student deserves access to mental health care, no matter who they are or where they live. This order is a victory for our young people, and for every educator working to keep our schools safe and supportive. There is no reason to strip funding from critical programs that help students learn, heal, and thrive. I am relieved to see this funding restored. I will continue fighting to ensure our children’s health and well-being are protected.”
James joined 15 other attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Education in July after the administration attempted to halt two grant programs supporting mental health professionals in schools. Congress established these grants following several high-profile school shootings, including those in Parkland, Florida and Uvalde, Texas. The grants aim to address youth mental health needs by increasing access to counselors and related professionals nationwide.
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington granted the coalition’s motion for an injunction today. As a result, the administration cannot enforce its decisions against many institutions in states involved in the lawsuit while litigation continues. For New York, this means state universities and their partner school districts can continue using over $7.6 million allocated for school-based mental health services.
