Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth Minds Act

Section 2(a): This section allows States to include evidence-based prevention and early intervention strategies in their plans to help prevent, delay, or reduce the severity and onset of mental illness and behavioral problems for children and adolescents, even if they do not have a serious mental illness. This is positive because it helps people get ahead of mental health issues before they become severe.

Section 2(b): Under section 1920(e), States can use up to 5 percent of their funding allotment to support these prevention and early intervention strategies and programs. This is a positive step to ensure resources are directly tied to stopping mental health struggles early.

Section 2(b): Under section 1920(f), the Secretary must report to Congress on how these programs are working, including how they reduced delays in care and lessened the severity of serious mental illnesses. This holds officials accountable by tracking if the programs actually help the people.