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Trump Administration Allocates $35 Million to Boost Mental-Health Support in Rural Schools

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 0:55 GMT by Associated Press

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Trump Administration Announces Funding to Strengthen Mental‑Health Services in Rural Schools

The U.S. Department of Education, under the leadership of Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, announced on Tuesday a new grant program aimed at bolstering mental‑health resources in rural schools across the country. The initiative, which is part of the Trump‑era “Build Back Better” educational strategy, earmarks $35 million to help underserved districts hire counselors, expand tele‑health services, and provide training for teachers and administrators. In a statement released by the White House, the administration underscored the need for “high‑quality, accessible mental‑health care for every student, especially those in the most isolated and underserved communities.”

Why Rural Schools Need a Boost

Rural districts often face a double‑edged problem: they are geographically remote, and they typically have fewer resources than their urban counterparts. According to a recent report by the Rural School and Community Trust, nearly 70 percent of rural schools reported shortages of licensed mental‑health professionals, and 60 percent cited limited access to specialized services such as cognitive behavioral therapy or substance‑use counseling. The pandemic amplified these gaps, leaving many students without adequate support to cope with anxiety, depression, and trauma. In the article, the AP’s correspondent highlights the experiences of students in places like Muleshoe, Texas, and Hays, Kansas, where the lack of counselors has forced teachers to act as de‑facto mental‑health workers.

The grant program is designed to address these deficits by offering flexible funding that can be used for a range of interventions. “We want to ensure that rural schools can attract and retain qualified mental‑health staff, and that they have the technology and training to deliver services effectively,” said Secretary Cardona. “No child in a remote area should feel that they are invisible when they need help.”

How the Funding Works

The $35 million will be distributed through a competitive grant process that will open to any public school district that can demonstrate a need for additional mental‑health capacity. Eligible districts must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Population size – districts with fewer than 2,000 students.
2. Geographic isolation – districts located more than 50 miles from the nearest city with a population over 100,000.
3. Current mental‑health service gaps – districts that can prove a shortage of licensed mental‑health professionals, as evidenced by state or local data.

Grant recipients will receive a two‑year funding window, with the possibility of renewal based on demonstrated impact. Funds can be used to hire counselors, fund tele‑health platforms that connect students with specialists, subsidize professional development for teachers, and purchase technology infrastructure such as secure video‑conference hardware and software.

The Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will oversee the grant program, and it will work closely with the Department’s Office of Rural Education. The announcement also linked to the Department’s 2023 Rural Education Program Guidelines, which detail the eligibility criteria and application deadlines. According to the guidelines, districts must submit a comprehensive plan that outlines how they will use the funds to address both immediate and long‑term mental‑health needs.

Political and Community Reactions

The initiative has sparked a mixed reaction among educators and policymakers. Dr. Lisa Morales, a professor of Educational Policy at the University of Michigan, praised the funding as a “critical step toward equity.” She noted that “rural communities have historically been left behind in educational funding, and targeted mental‑health investment is an effective remedy.”

Conversely, some critics argue that the grant amounts are insufficient and that the program lacks a robust oversight mechanism. Representative Jim Lange (R‑Neb.) said, “While the intention is commendable, we need to ensure that these funds truly reach the schools that need them most, and that the programs are evaluated for effectiveness.” He urged the administration to expand the funding pool and include mandatory outcome reporting.

The article also referenced a local grassroots initiative in Appalachia, where community leaders have been lobbying for state‑level funding to hire a full‑time school psychologist. A link to the Appalachian School Mental‑Health Advocacy Group’s website offers additional context on the regional challenges and potential partnerships with the federal grant.

Looking Ahead

The grant program will be rolled out in phases, with the first round of applications opening in early March. The Department of Education has scheduled a webinar for district administrators and school board members to walk them through the application process and answer technical questions. The announcement also points to the Department’s broader “Mental‑Health for Youth” initiative, which includes a $150 million national effort to support schools in high‑needs areas.

As rural schools navigate the long‑term impacts of the pandemic, this federal investment represents a tangible policy response to a pressing issue. By providing the necessary financial and technical resources, the Trump administration hopes to mitigate the mental‑health crisis that has disproportionately affected students in rural settings, ultimately striving for a more equitable educational landscape.