Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Investing in Community Healing Act of 2021”.
Investing in Community Healing Act of 2021
A BILL
To address the psychological, social, and emotional needs of racial and ethnic minorities who experience trauma associated with law enforcement violence, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds the following:
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, African Americans are more likely to have face-to-face contact with law enforcement and are 2.5 times more likely to experience a threat or use of nonfatal force by police.
Research shows that young men who have experienced these law enforcement practices display higher levels of stress, anxiety, and trauma associated with the interaction.
Witnessing or experiencing invasive encounters with law enforcement can also be an everyday stressor for racial and ethnic minorities, leading to physiological and psychological strain.
Racial and ethnic minorities face inequities in accessing mental health services.
Addressing the stigma in some communities of color associated with receiving mental health services and informing individuals about available treatment can encourage better utilization of these services.
Sec. 3 Sense of Congress
It is the sense of the Congress that it is imperative that a comprehensive public health approach to addressing trauma and mental health care be focused on care delivery that is culturally sensitive and competent.
Sec. 4 Research on adverse health effects associated with interactions with law enforcement
In general— The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this Act referred to as the “Secretary”), acting through the Director of the Office of Minority Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (established pursuant to section 1707A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u–6a)), shall conduct research on the adverse health effects associated with interactions with law enforcement.
Effects among racial and ethnic minorities— The research under subsection (a) shall include research on—
the health consequences, both individual and community-wide, of trauma related to violence committed by law enforcement among racial and ethnic minorities; and
the disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality associated with such trauma.
Report— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
complete the research under this section; and
submit to the Congress a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from such research.
Sec. 5 Grants for increasing racial and ethnic minority access to high-quality trauma support services and mental health care
In general— The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall award grants to eligible entities to establish or expand programs for the purpose of increasing racial and ethnic minority access to high-quality trauma support services and mental health care.
Eligible entities— To seek a grant under this section, an entity shall be a community-based program or organization that—
provides culturally competent programs and resources that are aligned with evidence-based practices for trauma-informed care; and
has demonstrated expertise in serving communities of color or can partner with a program that has such demonstrated expertise.
Use of funds— As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, a grantee shall agree to use the grant to increase racial and ethnic minority access to high-quality trauma support services and mental health care, such as by—
establishing and maintaining community-based programs providing evidence-based services in trauma-informed care and culturally specific services and other resources;
developing innovative culturally specific strategies and projects to enhance access to trauma-informed care and resources for racial and ethnic minorities who face obstacles to using more traditional services and resources (such as obstacles in geographic access to providers, insurance coverage, and access to audio and video technologies);
working with State and local governments and social service agencies to develop and enhance effective strategies to provide culturally specific services to racial and ethnic minorities;
increasing communities’ capacity to provide culturally specific resources and support for communities of color;
working in cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies highlighting culturally specific issues and resources regarding racial and ethnic minorities;
providing culturally specific programs for racial and ethnic minorities exposed to law enforcement violence; and
examining the dynamics of culture and its impact on victimization and healing.
Priority— In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities proposing to serve communities that have faced high rates of community trauma, including from exposure to law enforcement violence, intergenerational poverty, civil unrest, discrimination, or oppression.
Grant period— The period of a grant under this section shall be 4 years.
Evaluation— Not later than 6 months after the end of the period of all grants under this section, the Secretary shall—
conduct an evaluation of the programs funded by a grant under this section;
include in such evaluation an assessment of the outcomes of each such program; and
submit a report on the results of such evaluation to the Congress.
Authorization of appropriations— To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
Sec. 6 Behavioral and mental health outreach education strategy
In general— The Secretary shall, in coordination with advocacy and behavioral and mental health organizations serving racial and ethnic minority groups, develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health, and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions, among racial and ethnic minorities.
Design— The strategy under this section shall be designed to—
meet the diverse cultural and language needs of racial and ethnic minority groups;
provide information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate and adapted interventions and treatments;
increase awareness of symptoms of mental illness among racial and ethnic minority groups; and
ensure full participation of, and engage, both consumers and community members in the development and implementation of materials.
Report— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress, and make publicly available, a report detailing the outreach and education strategy that is developed and implemented under this section and the results of such implementation.