Washington joins other states in lawsuit against U.S. Dept. of Education funding cuts

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown announced a lawsuit against the U. S. Department of Education, leading a coalition of 16 states over cuts to mental health program funding for K-12 schools. The Department allegedly revoked grants that brought thousands of mental health professionals to schools, which had shown promising results in reducing suicide risk and absenteeism among students. The cuts threaten to end critical services in 90 school districts across northwest Washington this fall.

“School-based mental health programs can be a literal life saver for our students,” Brown emphasized. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Seattle, seeks to reverse the funding cuts and restore the grants. Congress had approved this funding following the 2022 mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas. The decision to cancel the grants claims they conflicted with the Trump administration’s priorities. This legal action underscores the importance of mental health resources in education, particularly in high-need areas.