School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act

Increased Access to Support Services: By providing grants to hire and retain staff, the bill aims to increase access to mental health and other student support services for students in elementary and secondary schools (Section 2(a)).

Improved Mental Health and Academic Outcomes: The bill authorizes social workers to provide services such as counseling, crisis intervention, trauma-informed services, and evidence-based mental health services to improve academic outcomes (Section 2(c)(1) and Section 2(d)(2)).

Addressing Basic Needs: Social workers funded by this act can work with families to address barriers to education, such as homelessness, housing insecurity, and food insecurity (Section 2(d)(2)(G)).

Support for High-Risk Students: The bill allows agencies to use funds to achieve a higher ratio of 1 social worker for every 50 students in schools where the majority of students are considered higher risk (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).

Workforce Development and Information: The creation of a National Technical Assistance Center provides training, information, and help to states, tribes, and educational agencies to improve the effectiveness of the school social work workforce (Section 3(a) and Section 3(b)).

Funding Limitations: The grants provided to local educational agencies are limited to a period not exceeding 4 years (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(2)).

Restrictions on Use of Funds: Funds must be used to supplement, rather than replace, existing Federal, State, or local funds used for hiring and retaining school social workers (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(3)).