Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Coalition Over School Mental Health Grant Cuts

CHICAGO — The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Illinois and 15 other states last week in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s cancellation of previously approved K-12 mental health grants. The court rejected the department’s attempt to extend its own deadlines and sent the case back to the district court for compliance, finding the department did not provide sufficient reasoning for ending the grants. The funding supports about 14,000 school-based mental health professionals nationwide, including programs serving low-income and rural communities. The ruling marks the coalition’s second win in the appeals court and follows multiple victories at the district level.