After several Democratic-backed bills aimed at addressing the rise in problem behavior in schools failed in the last Congress, lawmakers are dedicating additional funding to the issue and helping schools improve student and child care. He is pushing legislation to improve mental health services by encouraging the establishment of telehealth services. Focuses on teacher mental health training for at-risk students.
But other proposals to increase the number of school counselors and behavior specialists have stalled due to cost concerns, and lawmakers are pushing for changes as Virginia conducts a broader review of the funding provided to departments. calls for further research on the subject.
Kat Atkinson, a policy analyst with Voices for Virginia’s Children, said the 2024 Legislature had some successes and losses in improving student mental health. But lawmakers need to do more to address this issue through the budget.
“We are still navigating a mental health crisis among our youth,” she said. “If we don’t continue to advocate for more funding and support for schools for young people, and if Congress doesn’t prioritize young people’s mental health, we will continue to have challenges in our schools.”
As the coronavirus pandemic eases and in-person learning resumes, Virginia school officials have rated student behavior as the most serious issue facing them. A 2022 survey by the Virginia Legislative Watchdog Agency found that most students are “tense, anxious, or irritable.” It also found that Virginia schools employ fewer mental health staff than the national association recommends. That means one psychologist for every 1,322 students, far higher than the nationally recommended ratio of one for every 500 students. Vacancies in school mental health positions are on the rise, which researchers say is linked to lower job satisfaction and morale, as well as “all of the social and emotional trauma that goes into maintaining student academic performance.” It is associated.
Some departments have taken creative approaches to the problem, such as launching pilot programs to help students in need. But in Southwest Virginia, at least one major provider has withdrawn from the department, citing disagreements with the state over how services for students with behavioral issues are managed.
In 2023, Democrats introduced a series of bills in the General Assembly aimed at strengthening mental health services for students. The proposals include requiring departments to hire additional counselors, providing mental health instruction in all classrooms and requiring school bus drivers to undergo mental health screenings. . Provide training and amend the state constitution to give students the right to consult with school mental health professionals.
But House Republicans rejected portions of the bill, arguing it would increase responsibilities and duplicate resources for schools. Some died in the House without being given a hearing.
funding
This year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the General Assembly proposed a variety of funding solutions to address the growing number of school mental health issues.
In December, the governor secured $14.4 million for schools to secure telehealth services for the mental health of middle school and high school students, establish a school mental health chief officer, and provide health centers and schools that provide mental health services. A $15 million grant was proposed to the organization. school.
The Democratic-controlled House and Senate removed a $14.4 million line item from the budget bill. The Senate upheld Yonkin’s proposal for $15 million in grants, but the House decided to divert the money to school-based clinics that provide mental health services and primary and other care to students and their families. We are requesting that the funds be used for the establishment of the company. And the staff.
Encourage schools to implement telehealth services for students
Both chambers are expected to pass a bill that would allow schools to expand the mental health services they provide to students by contracting with telehealth providers. The bill would build on a law passed last year that required states to create a model memorandum of understanding that school boards could use to obtain mental health services from public or private community health providers. .
“Research shows that telehealth should not be used as a replacement for in-person behavioral health services, but as a supplement to cover accessibility,” said the bill’s sponsor, D-Loudon. said Congressman Kannan Srinivasan. .
An earlier version of Srinivasan’s bill required school boards to make school-based mental health services more accessible to students by expanding “virtual” resources. The law was later amended to say that the board could take such action, but would not be forced to do so.
Focus on teacher mental health training for at-risk students
Rosia Henson Jr., D-Prince William, introduced legislation that would require teachers and other relevant school staff to receive mental health awareness training to address the needs of students who are “at high risk of experiencing mental health problems and disorders.” It has been approved.
Henson said the goal is to “meet the specific needs of student groups that are underserved because of the unique challenges they face.”
These groups include students with mental or physical disabilities, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and students experiencing homelessness.
Current law only states that teachers and certain other school personnel must complete at least one mental health awareness training.
Putting more mental health professionals in schools
The House and Senate have different approaches to increasing the number of mental health professionals in schools. The House sent the bill to raise staffing standards to a new joint subcommittee for further consideration, but the Senate is moving forward with one proposal.
A bill from Democrat Phil Hernandez (Norfolk) would increase the required number of state-funded student support professionals (a category that includes school social workers, psychologists, nurses and other behavioral health professionals) per 1,000 students. The number will likely increase from three to 20. four.
“Half of all mental illnesses occur by the age of 14. School is a natural place. [young people] “Part of what this bill is about is asking for help,” Hernandez said during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing.
The proposal is estimated to cost the state an additional $115 million over the next two years.
Another proposal by Rep. Michael Fegans, D-Virginia Beach, would increase the number of counselors in school divisions by reducing the state-approved counselor-to-student ratio from 1:325 to 1:250. .
Previously, Virginia required counselor ratios of 1:375 in elementary schools, 1:325 in middle schools, and 1:300 in high schools. In 2022, the General Assembly standardized that requirement to 1:325 for all schools.
The changes will require an estimated $126 million from the state over the next two years.
“There is increasing focus on the lack of services in our communities for mental health professionals who provide services outside of school, as well as counselors in schools, and this is changing how we provide services. I think it’s part of the overall package that we need to rethink whether we can do that.’We provide counseling services in schools,’ said Rep. Carrie Coyner, D-Chesterfield, a member of the subcommittee. said.
Finally, Rep. Shelley Simmons, D-Newport News,’s bill would require schools to hire at least one career coach at each high school to ease the existing burden on counselors.
Simmons said coaches are responsible for helping students secure internships, externships and certification opportunities.
“This career coach will actually reduce the workload of some school counselors and give them more time to focus on other things, like student mental health and college readiness,” Simmons said.
Lawmakers supported all three proposals, but ultimately considered them as part of a broader study of whether and how the state should change the way it funds schools. Therefore, it was decided to refer the proposal to the Joint Subcommittee on Research on Funding for Elementary and Secondary Education.
Rep. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, said a 2023 state report that found Virginia was underfunding K-12 schools highlighted unrealistic staffing levels.
“It would be very expensive to right-size this ship because there are a lot of moving parts,” Bulova said. “We need to make sure we are properly funded, but we need to do it in a phased approach so that we can absorb fiscal shocks not only at the state level but also at the local level.”
Hernandez and Fagans’ proposal to put more mental health professionals in schools has stalled in the House, but a companion bill filed by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Richmond) , incorporated into a sweeping bill that would change how mental health professionals are placed in schools. The state funds schools through quality standards.
Although the omnibus bill does not mandate reducing the number of students per counselor or increasing the number of student support professionals, the joint subcommittee does not mandate “hiring of additional counselors, testing coordinators, and qualified behavior analysts.” will be required to consider.
“I care deeply about the areas of education and public safety,” said Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), the omnibus bill’s chief sponsor. “People of my generation, black and white alike, were unable to attend school during the mass protests. I will never deny my children the ability to receive a quality public education. We want to ensure that no one is held back or denied the ability to thrive in a safe environment and a supportive community.”
Written by Nathaniel Cline and Virginia Mercury
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