hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Provides grants to schools to hire and keep social workers.
Rep. Gwen Moore (Democrat, Wisconsin)
Introduced in the House, no vote yet.
This bill creates a new grant program to help 'high-need' local school districts hire or retain school social workers, aiming for specific student-to-social-worker ratios. It was introduced by Representative Gwen Moore from Wisconsin, a Democrat. Currently, it has only been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to a committee, meaning it is very early in the legislative process and has not been voted on.
Introduced Mar 4, 2026
This bill is currently in the 'Introduced' stage in the House of Representatives as of March 4, 2026. This means it has been formally presented and assigned to the Committee on Education and Workforce for review. For it to become law, it must pass out of committee, be approved by the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President.
If passed, your local school district, especially if it's considered 'high-need,' could receive federal grants to hire more school social workers or keep the ones they have. This aims to increase access to mental health support, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed services for students. Social workers could also conduct home visits, connect families to resources, and address issues like homelessness or food insecurity affecting students.
Supporters Say
Advocates argue this bill is crucial for improving student mental health and academic outcomes by providing essential support services.
Critics Say
Potential concerns may focus on the significant federal funding required or questions about local educational agency autonomy.
Supporters of the bill would likely emphasize the growing need for mental health support in schools and the positive impact social workers can have on student well-being and academic success. They might point to the benefits of meeting recommended social worker-to-student ratios. Critics might raise questions about the $100 million authorized annually for five years, debating if federal grants are the most effective way to address local school staffing needs or if it oversteps state and local control in education.