---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 280h–7"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "280h–7"
heading: "Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/280h-7"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter II — General Powers and Duties"
  - "Part Q — Programs To Improve the Health of Children"
---

# §280h–7. Grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings

- (a) **Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements authorized—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), in coordination with the Assistant [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) for Mental Health and Substance Use, is authorized to award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) educational [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), [local educational agencies](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), Indian Tribes (as defined in [section 5304 of title 25](/usc/25/5304.md)) or their tribal educational [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), a [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) operated by the Bureau of Indian Education, a Regional [Corporation](/usc/42/2297h.md?p=2), or a Native Hawaiian educational organization, for the purpose of increasing student access to evidence-based [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) support [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and mental health care by developing innovative initiatives, activities, or [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to link local [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) systems with local [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4)-informed support and mental health systems, including those under the Indian Health [Service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
- (b) **Duration—** With respect to a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded or entered into under this section, the period during which payments under such grant, contract or agreement are made to the recipient may not exceed 4 years.
- (c) **Use of funds—** An entity that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall use amounts made available through such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement for evidence-based activities, which shall include any of the following:
  - (1) Collaborative efforts between [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6)-based [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) systems and [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4)-informed support and mental health [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) systems to provide, develop, or improve prevention, screening, referral, and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) and support [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) to students, such as providing [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) screenings to identify students in need of specialized support.
  - (2) To implement schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports, or other [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4)-informed models of support.
  - (3) To provide professional development to teachers, teacher assistants, [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) leaders, specialized instructional support personnel, and mental health professionals that—
    - (A) fosters safe and stable learning environments that prevent and mitigate the effects of [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4), including through social and emotional learning;
    - (B) improves [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) capacity to identify, refer, and provide [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) to students in need of [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) support or behavioral health [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a); or
    - (C) reflects the best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) for [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4)-informed identification, referral, and support developed by the [Task Force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) under section 7132.
  - (4) [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) at a full-[service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) community [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) that focuses on [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4)-informed supports, which may include a full-time site coordinator, or other activities consistent with [section 7275 of title 20](/usc/20/7275.md).
  - (5) Engaging families and communities in efforts to increase awareness of child and youth [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4), which may include sharing best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) with law enforcement regarding [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4)-informed care and working with mental health professionals to provide interventions, as well as longer term coordinated care within the community for children and youth who have experienced [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) and their families.
  - (6) To provide technical assistance to [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) systems and mental health [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (7) To evaluate the effectiveness of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) carried out under this section in increasing student access to evidence-based [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) support [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and mental health care.
  - (8) To establish partnerships with or provide subgrants to Head Start [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) (including Early Head Start [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)), public and private preschool [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) (including home-based [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8)), or other entities described in [subsection (a)](#a), to include such entities described in this paragraph in the evidence-based [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) initiatives, activities, support [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), and mental health systems established under this section in order to provide, develop, or improve prevention, screening, referral, and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) and support [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) to young children and their families.
- (d) **Applications—** To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, an entity described in [subsection (a)](#a) shall submit an application to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may reasonably require, which shall include the following:
  - (1) A description of the innovative initiatives, activities, or [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to be funded under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, including how such [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) will increase access to evidence-based [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) support [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and mental health care for students, and, as applicable, the families of such students.
  - (2) A description of how the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) will provide linguistically appropriate and culturally competent [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
  - (3) A description of how the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) will support students and the [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) in improving the [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) climate in order to support an environment conducive to learning.
  - (4) An assurance that—
    - (A) persons providing [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement are adequately trained to provide such [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a); and
    - (B) teachers, [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) leaders, [administrators](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1), specialized instructional support personnel, representatives of local Indian Tribes or tribal organizations as appropriate, other [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) personnel, and parents or guardians of students participating in [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) under this section will be engaged and involved in the design and implementation of the [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
  - (5) A description of how the applicant will support and integrate existing [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6)-based [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) with the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in order to provide mental health [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) for students, as appropriate.
  - (6) A description of the entities in the community with which the applicant will partner or to which the applicant will provide subgrants in accordance with [subsection (c)(8)](#c-8).
- (e) **Interagency agreements—**
  - (1) **Local interagency agreements—** To ensure the provision of the [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) described in [subsection (c)](#c), a recipient of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, or their designee, shall establish a local interagency agreement among [local educational agencies](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) responsible for early childhood education [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), Head Start [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) (including Early Head Start [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)), juvenile justice authorities, mental health [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), child welfare [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), and other relevant [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), authorities, or entities in the community that will be involved in the provision of such [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
  - (2) **Contents—** In ensuring the provision of the [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) described in [subsection (c)](#c), the local interagency agreement shall specify with respect to each [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), authority, or entity that is a party to such agreement—
    - (A) the financial responsibility for the [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a);
    - (B) the conditions and terms of responsibility for the [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), including quality, accountability, and coordination of the [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a); and
    - (C) the conditions and terms of reimbursement among such [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), authorities, or entities, including procedures for dispute resolution.
- (f) **Evaluation—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall reserve not more than 3 percent of the funds made available under [subsection (l)](#l) for each fiscal year to—
  - (1) conduct a rigorous, independent evaluation of the activities funded under this section; and
  - (2) disseminate and promote the utilization of evidence-based [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) regarding [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) support [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and mental health care.
- (g) **Distribution of awards—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall ensure that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements awarded or entered into under this section are equitably distributed among the geographical regions of the United States and among tribal, urban, suburban, and rural populations.
- (h) **Rule of construction—** Nothing in this section shall be construed—
  - (1) to prohibit an entity involved with a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) carried out under this section from reporting a crime that is committed by a student to appropriate authorities; or
  - (2) to prevent Federal, [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), and tribal law enforcement and judicial authorities from exercising their responsibilities with regard to the application of Federal, tribal, and [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) law to crimes committed by a student.
- (i) **Supplement, not supplant—** Any [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) provided through [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) carried out under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, existing mental health [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), including any special education and related [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ([20 U.S.C. 1400](/usc/20/1400.md) et seq.).
- (j) **Consultation with Indian Tribes—** In carrying out [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall, in a timely manner, meaningfully consult with Indian Tribes and their representatives to ensure notice of eligibility.
- (k) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Elementary school—** The term “elementary [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6)” has the meaning given such term in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md).
  - (2) **Evidence-based—** The term “evidence-based” has the meaning given such term in [section 7801(21)(A)(i) of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md?p=21-A-i).
  - (3) **Native Hawaiian educational organization—** The term “Native Hawaiian educational organization” has the meaning given such term in [section 7517 of title 20](/usc/20/7517.md).
  - (4) **Local educational agency—** The term “[local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3)” has the meaning given such term in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md).
  - (5) **Regional Corporation—** The term “Regional [Corporation](/usc/42/2297h.md?p=2)” has the meaning given the term in [section 1602 of title 43](/usc/43/1602.md)).[^1]
  - (6) **School—** The term “[school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6)” means a public elementary [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) or public secondary [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6).
  - (7) **School leader—** The term “[school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) leader” has the meaning given such term in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md).
  - (8) **Secondary school—** The term “secondary [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6)” has the meaning given such term in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md).
  - (9) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c)” means the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Education.
  - (10) **Specialized instructional support personnel—** The term “specialized instructional support personnel” has the meaning given such term in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md).
  - (11) **State educational agency—** The term “[State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) educational [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)” has the meaning given such term in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md).
- (l) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, § 7134, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4051.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 7132, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(C), is section 7132 of Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4046, which is not classified to the Code.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (i), is title VI of Pub. L. 91–230, Apr. 13, 1970, 84 Stat. 175, which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1400 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1400 of Title 20 and Tables.

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Substance Use–Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, also known as the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.