§ 7269. Grants for the integration of schools and mental health systems
(a)
Authorization
The Secretary is authorized to award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, or Indian tribes, for the purpose of increasing student access to quality mental health care by developing innovative programs to link local school systems with the local mental health system.
(b)
Duration
With respect to a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded or entered into under this section, the period during which payments under such grant, contract or agreement are made to the recipient may not exceed 5 years.
(c)
Use of funds
A State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe that receives a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall use amounts made available through such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement for the following:
(1)
To enhance, improve, or develop collaborative efforts between school-based service systems and mental health service systems to provide, enhance, or improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services to students.
(2)
To enhance the availability of crisis intervention services, appropriate referrals for students potentially in need of mental health services, and ongoing mental health services.
(3)
To provide training for the school personnel and mental health professionals who will participate in the program carried out under this section.
(d)
Applications
To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, a State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. The application shall include each of the following:
(2)
A description of how such program will increase access to quality mental health services for students.
(3)
A description of how the applicant will establish a crisis intervention program to provide immediate mental health services to the school community when necessary.
(4)
An assurance that—
(e)
Interagency agreements
(1)
Designation of lead agency
The recipient of each grant, contract, or cooperative agreement shall designate a lead agency to direct the establishment of an interagency agreement among local educational agencies, juvenile justice authorities, mental health agencies, and other relevant entities in the State, in collaboration with local entities and parents and guardians of students.
(2)
Contents
The interagency agreement shall ensure the provision of the services described in subsection (c) of this section, specifying with respect to each agency, authority, or entity—
(f)
Evaluation
The Secretary shall evaluate each program carried out by a State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe under this section and shall disseminate the findings with respect to each such evaluation to appropriate public and private entities.
(g)
Distribution of awards
The Secretary shall ensure that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements awarded or entered into under this section are equitably distributed among the geographical regions of the United States and among urban, suburban, and rural populations.
(h)
Rule of construction
Nothing in Federal law shall be construed—