HHS: $25 million available for primary care expansion in schools

Key takeaways

• HHS said that $25 million will be available to expand primary care and mental health services in schools.
• Applications can be submitted to grants.gov by the end of March or to the Health Resources and Services Administration by May 1.

HHS has announced the availability of $25 million for the expansion of primary care — particularly mental health services — in schools.

For children and adolescents, school-based service sites offer convenient access to primary health care, HHS said in a press release. Since September 2021, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded $30 million to improve access to health center services in schools. The additional $25 million will build on this investment to expand school-based health services and strengthen the country’s mental health, according to the release.

“Mental health is fundamental to the overall health and well-being of our country’s children and young adults,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release. “Ensuring that children can access the care they need in schools, including mental health services, is a critical way we can support their healthy growth and development.”

The funds will be made available through HRSA, according to the release. Currently, HRSA-funded health centers operate more than 3,400 school-based service sites in schools across the United States.

For the first time, applicants must expand or add mental health services in order to receive school-based funding, according to the release, and HRSA-funded health centers will invest in expanding existing school-based sites and new ones. HRSA expects to fund 70 awards.

“At the Health Resources and Services Administration, we are using all available levers to expand access to mental health care,” Carole Johnson, HRSA administrator, said in the release. “We want to ensure that there is no wrong door to young people finding help. That’s why we are investing in expanding mental health care in schools to help kids get the support they need. We look forward to a robust applicant pool in response to this exciting funding announcement.”

Health centers must submit applications to grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 31 or in HRSA Electronic Handbooks by 5 p.m. ET on May 1.