Judge Orders Reinstatement of Youth Mental Health Grants

Dec 21, 2025, 3:27 AM

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A federal judge has ordered the US Department of Education to reverse its "unlawful discontinuation of mental health grants aimed at increasing support for K-12 schools." This ruling, delivered by US District Court Judge Kymberly Evanson, follows a multistate lawsuit led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown.

Judge Evanson determined that the Department of Education acted unlawfully when it abruptly terminated the mental health grants, which were originally intended to fund additional mental health professionals in schools. The decision comes in the wake of funding appropriated by Congress, which allocated $1 billion to introduce 14,000 mental health professionals into schools, primarily targeting low-income and rural communities.

The successful mental health programs have already provided services to nearly 775,000 K-12 students in their first year, significantly reducing wait times for students seeking help, according to Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. He emphasized the importance of these services, stating, "We're facing a youth mental health crisis. Making sure our kids have proper support should never be subject to political whim".

The Department of Education had implemented the grants over a five-year project period, allowing annual assessments on their continued funding based on grantee performance. However, on April 29, the department notified grantees that the grants would be discontinued due to a misalignment with the new priorities set by the Trump administration. Brown and other state attorneys general responded by challenging this action, arguing that it violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

Judge Evanson concurred, noting in her ruling that "Nothing in the existing regulatory scheme comports with the Department's view that multi-year grants may be discontinued whenever the political will to do so arises." This statement underlines the requirement for the Department of Education to adhere to established processes regarding grant funding.

Following the ruling, the Department of Education has been mandated to engage with the states involved to establish a timeline for making lawful decisions regarding the continuation of the mental health grants. The court's decision reinforces the necessity of providing consistent mental health support to students in schools across the nation.

The ruling is part of a broader trend where federal judges have been increasingly willing to challenge the actions of the Trump administration regarding grant funding. Similar cases have seen judges ruling against the administration's termination of various grants, citing arbitrary and capricious actions that violate established legal frameworks.

As the Department of Education works to comply with the ruling, advocates for youth mental health services are hopeful that the reinstatement of these grants will provide much-needed support to schools and students facing mental health challenges. The decision highlights the critical need for mental health resources in educational settings, particularly as the nation grapples with a youth mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal pressures.

In conclusion, the federal court's ruling serves as a significant victory for advocates of mental health services in schools, ensuring that funding will continue to support the mental well-being of students across the country. The reinstatement of these grants is expected to play a vital role in addressing the mental health needs of K-12 students, particularly in underserved communities.

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