Biden Administration Commits to Improving School Health Program Delivery

On Thursday, U.S. Secretaries Cardona and Becerra sent a letter to Governors formally describing a new effort by both agencies to work together to develop and align resources to ensure children have the physical and behavioral health services and supports that they need to build resilience and thrive. Specifically, in the coming months, the Departments plan to provide additional technical assistance, resources and support that will (1) provide guidance on the federal funding available for school-based physical and behavioral health services, including how Medicaid can support the delivery of these services; (2) help reduce federal administrative burden for states and localities, including local educational agencies, and barriers to the provision of school-based physical and behavioral health services; and (3) improve and strengthen access to physical and behavioral health services.

For several years, AASA has focused on improving coordination between HHS and ED. This letter to Governors is in direct response to much of our advocacy. In particular, the specific mention of reducing the administrative on districts in meeting Medicaid is of particular significance as this was one of our leading recommendations to the Biden Administration before they took office.