California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a legal challenge against the Trump Administration’s Department of Education over its decision to halt grants for school mental health programs. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, involves a coalition of 16 states and seeks to protect funding that supports student mental health services.
The disputed funding, approximately $200 million allocated to California alone, was awarded under the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP) and the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program (SBMH). These programs aim to enhance mental health support in high-need, low-income, and rural schools by increasing access to counselors and psychologists.
Attorney General Bonta stated, “The Trump Administration’s Department of Education is attempting to rip away funding and projects that support the mental health and well-being of our students – it’s not only immoral, it’s unlawful.” He emphasized that these programs were established following school shootings to ensure students’ success and well-being.
Since their inception, MHSP and SBMH have made significant strides. They have provided services to nearly 775,000 students nationwide in their first year. Notable achievements include a 50% reduction in suicide risk at high-need schools and an increase in positive student-staff engagement. Recruitment efforts also led to hiring nearly 1,300 school mental health professionals with a retention rate of 95%.
Despite these successes, on April 29, 2025, grantees received notices from the Department indicating grant discontinuation due to conflicts with new administration priorities focused on “merit, fairness, and excellence in education.” Critics argue this move targets states based on diversity efforts without legal justification.
The lawsuit claims this decision violates the Administrative Procedure Act as well as constitutional provisions related to spending authority. If upheld, the discontinuation could lead to layoffs among school-based mental health providers and disrupt services crucial for rural and low-income schools.
Joining Attorney General Bonta are attorneys general from Washington, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
