Press ReleaseNeutral2026-04-29

Hayes Introduces Legislation Addressing Youth Mental Health

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This press release from Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT) was published on 2026-04-29 and titled "Hayes Introduces Legislation Addressing Youth Mental Health". It focuses on healthcare and touches on the environment, trade policy.

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Hayes Introduces Legislation Addressing Youth Mental Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Supporting Trauma Informed Instructional Practices Act , legislation that authorizes grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings. This legislation would direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants to increase student, family, and other school personnel access to evidence-based trauma support services by developing innovative initiatives, activities, or programs to connect schools and local educational agencies with community trauma-informed support and mental health systems. Chronic trauma can cause serious problems with learning and behavior. Children often do not have the necessary coping skill to manage trauma, language to explain their feelings or resources to begin to heal. It is important to develop collaborative efforts between schools and community mental health delivery systems to provide, develop, and improve prevention, referral, treatment, and support services to students. Similarly, professional development for educators and safe and stable learning environments that prevent and mitigate the effects of trauma are crucial. "As a teacher, there were times when I suspected a student was experiencing trauma, but had no support to navigate the situation," said Congresswoman Hayes . "Trauma manifests differently in students; so having on site professionals to work with students, parents and teachers is essential to supporting a students' emotional wellbeing." This legislation was passed in the 117th Congress as part of the Mental Health Matters Act. The full text of the bill can be found here .

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Hayes Introduces Legislation Addressing Youth Mental Health WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Supporting Trauma Informed Instructional Practices Act , legislation that authorizes grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings. This legislation would direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants to increase student, family, and other school personnel access to evidence-based trauma support services by developing innovative initiatives, activities, or programs to connect schools and local educational agencies with community trauma-informed support and mental health systems. Chronic trauma can cause serious problems with learning and behavior. Children often do not have the necessary coping skill to manage trauma, language to explain their feelings or resources to begin to heal. It is important to develop collaborative efforts between schools and community mental health delivery systems to provide, develop, and improve prevention, referral, treatment, and support services to students. Similarly, professional development for educators and safe and stable learning environments that prevent and mitigate the effects of trauma are crucial. "As a teacher, there were times when I suspected a student was experiencing trauma, but had no support to navigate the situation," said Congresswoman Hayes . "Trauma manifests differently in students; so having on site professionals to work with students, parents and teachers is essential to supporting a students' emotional wellbeing." This legislation was passed in the 117th Congress as part of the Mental Health Matters Act. The full text of the bill can be found here .