This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Mental and Behavioral Health Career Promotion Grant Program . The program aims to award grants to eligible entities to create or expand initiatives that promote careers in mental and behavioral health among students in grades 9 through 12 and those attending public junior or community colleges. To qualify for a grant, an entity must be a partnership that includes: One or more local or State educational agencies, or a consortium thereof; One or more public junior or community colleges, or a consortium thereof; and At least one community-based mental or behavioral health provider or other approved community-based entity. Eligible programs will promote mental and behavioral health careers through activities such as: Providing educational presentations to increase exposure and knowledge of these careers; Coordinating internships and externships for interested students; Offering opportunities for students to interact with and shadow professionals; Providing mentorships and experiential learning; and Partnering with higher education institutions and community behavioral health organizations. All grant-funded activities must be developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate. Grants will be awarded for a period of five years and may be renewed, with the Secretary ensuring geographical diversity among recipients and potentially offering technical assistance to high-need educational agencies and colleges. The bill authorizes $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund this program, which also mandates a process for evaluating effectiveness and submitting annual reports to Congress.
This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Mental and Behavioral Health Career Promotion Grant Program . The program aims to award grants to eligible entities to create or expand initiatives that promote careers in mental and behavioral health among students in grades 9 through 12 and those attending public junior or community colleges. To qualify for a grant, an entity must be a partnership that includes: One or more local or State educational agencies, or a consortium thereof; One or more public junior or community colleges, or a consortium thereof; and At least one community-based mental or behavioral health provider or other approved community-based entity. Eligible programs will promote mental and behavioral health careers through activities such as: Providing educational presentations to increase exposure and knowledge of these careers; Coordinating internships and externships for interested students; Offering opportunities for students to interact with and shadow professionals; Providing mentorships and experiential learning; and Partnering with higher education institutions and community behavioral health organizations. All grant-funded activities must be developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate. Grants will be awarded for a period of five years and may be renewed, with the Secretary ensuring geographical diversity among recipients and potentially offering technical assistance to high-need educational agencies and colleges. The bill authorizes $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund this program, which also mandates a process for evaluating effectiveness and submitting annual reports to Congress.