CMS Announces $50M in Grants for School-Based Health Services for Children

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced $50 million in grants for states to connect millions more children to critical health care services, particularly for mental health, at school. 

Made possible by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the grants will provide 20 states with up to $2.5 million each to implement, enhance and expand the use of school-based health services through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“Providing quality, affordable health care requires meeting people where they’re at, and for children that often means school,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a written statement.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, today’s new funding will help states to expand and leverage Medicaid health care services in schools,” he said.

In addition to announcing the availability of the grants, Becerra and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona also issued a joint letter to governors emphasizing that this grant funding “will make it easier for states to support schools in providing critical health care services, especially mental health services, for millions of students across the nation.”

Schools offer a unique opportunity to deliver health care services to children and youth, especially for the millions enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, the two men said. 

“From preventive and behavioral health care to physical care, among other benefits, Medicaid school-based health services offer families convenient care from trusted partners right where children learn and grow. 

“Such services also have a track record for advancing children’s health and improving educational outcomes,” administration officials said.

Currently, 16 states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia — cover school-based health services provided to Medicaid- or CHIP-covered children beyond those with special education needs reflected in an Individualized Education Program or an Individual Family Service Plan.

With today’s announcement, CMS not only hopes more states will follow suit, but also that early adopters will leverage the additional funding to further enhance their programs to better meet the needs of children and youth.

CMS anticipates a total of 20 grant awards, with a minimum of 10 awards to states that have yet to cover school-based health services for all children covered by Medicaid or CHIP. 

Funding remains a critical need in these states as they work to build additional partnerships and coordination between state Medicaid and education agencies to improve the quality and delivery of care. 

Additionally, up to 10 grants are intended for states that have taken initial steps to expand school-based health services, with the hope that these grants will enhance or refine their existing programs.

Applications for the grant will be due by March 25, 2024, with funding anticipated by this summer. Visit Grants.gov for more information.

“This funding will be transformational for states at any stage in developing school-based health services programs, which represent one of CMS’ most powerful tools for expanding access to care for our children,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, also through a written statement. 

“Medicaid and CHIP cover over 39 million children. This targeted support is one way CMS can help kids get the health care they need by meeting them where they are — in school,” Brooks-LaSure said.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue