U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on June 23 signed on as the original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill to reauthorize a federal mental health awareness training grants program that provides funds to states, localities, tribes, and other nonprofits to train teachers, first responders, law enforcement officials, and United States military veterans to recognize and respond to youth mental and behavioral health disorders.
“Teachers and first responders are frequently in situations where children are experiencing mental health crises,” Sen. Cassidy said. “This bill improves access to training for teachers and first responders so they can connect kids to appropriate mental health services.”
Sen. Cassidy introduced the Expanding Access to Mental Health Training Act, S. 4461, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) to reauthorize and improve the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) Grants program, which is set to expire this year without congressional action.
The MHAT program helps prevent mental and behavioral issues from escalating by connecting those in need to evidence and community-based mental health services, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Cassidy’s office.
“This program is critical and we must work to reauthorize and enhance it,” said Sen. Rosen.
S. 4461 is supported by The Children’s Cabinet, the Nye Communities Coalition, the Disability Resource Center, and the Center for Counseling and Psychological Resources.
The measure has been referred to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for consideration.