Statement from Governor Murphy on Trump Administration’s Cancellation of School-Based Mental Health Services Grant

“It is extremely disappointing that the U.S. Department of Education has arbitrarily canceled nearly $1 billion in nationwide school-based mental health funding that was approved through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act following one of our nation’s most horrific school shootings in Uvalde, Texas. The New Jersey Department of Education was in year three of implementing a five-year, $15 million effort to expand access to mental health professionals in our schools. That project will now have to end two years early.

“Now is not the time to waver on mental health initiatives for our children. Our nation is facing a youth mental health crisis, and we should be working together to build a broader continuum of support for our young people and their families.

“As Chairperson of the National Governors Association, I published a playbook on strengthening youth mental health and worked with my fellow governors on both sides of the aisle to advance our understanding of this crisis and bolster our response. Although this move from the U.S. Department of Education represents a significant step backward, my Administration will continue to prioritize youth mental health and the safety of all our students.”

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