School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7798

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-05-14T08:08:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act" aims to increase access to mental health and student support services in U.S. elementary and secondary schools by funding the hiring and retention of school social workers. It targets recommended ratios of 1 school social worker per 250 students overall, and 1 per 50 students for those with intensive needs, as suggested by professional associations.

Key Provisions

• Grants for School Social Workers (Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965):
• Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to "high-need" local educational agencies (LEAs, which are school districts facing challenges like high poverty or low graduation rates) for up to 4 years to hire, retain, or contract school social workers.
• Funds must supplement (add to) existing budgets, not replace them.
• Grantees must achieve the 1:250 student ratio, with allowances for contractors only if hiring full-time staff is not feasible despite recruitment efforts.
• In schools with mostly "higher risk" students (e.g., those facing significant challenges), funds can support a 1:50 ratio.
• Additional uses include reimbursing social workers for travel (e.g., home visits), supervision costs, and other service-related expenses.
• School social workers must hold a graduate degree from an accredited program and meet state/local credentials; they provide services like counseling, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, behavioral support, family engagement, and addressing barriers such as homelessness or food insecurity.
• Grants can be renewed based on progress reports showing staffing growth and services for high-risk students.
• The Secretary provides technical assistance for applications and can extend deadlines for agencies needing help.

• National Technical Assistance Center:
• Establishes a resource center under the Department of Education to offer training, data collection, and support to states, tribes, LEAs, schools, and educators on hiring and retaining school social workers.
• Responsibilities include developing workforce strategies, studying program costs and effectiveness, disseminating best practices on mental health services, and building partnerships for data sharing and workforce development.

• Funding:
• Authorizes $100 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these grants and activities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new Section 4645 to Subpart 4 of Part F, Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), creating a dedicated grant program for school social workers, which did not previously exist in this form.
• Introduces a new standalone provision (Section 3) for a National Technical Assistance Center focused on school social work, expanding federal support beyond general education funding.
• Updates the ESEA table of contents to include the new section.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Education will administer grants, provide technical assistance, and oversee the new center, potentially increasing administrative workload and requiring new partnerships with states, tribes, and nonprofits. This could strain budgets if appropriations fall short but enhance federal coordination on student mental health.
• On Citizens: Students, especially in high-need schools, may gain better access to mental health support, counseling, and resources to address issues like trauma or family challenges, potentially improving academic engagement and outcomes. Families could benefit from home visits and community connections. School social workers may see more job opportunities and support for professional development.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. education.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• High-Need Local Educational Agencies: Primary recipients of grants, responsible for implementation and reporting.
• Students and Families: Especially high-risk or high-need students (e.g., those facing poverty, homelessness, or mental health issues) who gain targeted services.
• School Social Workers: Benefit from hiring incentives, reimbursements, and supervision support; must meet qualification standards.
• Educators and Schools: Receive assistance in creating supportive environments through social-emotional interventions and resource coordination.
• State, Tribal, and Federal Governments: Involved in strategy development, data collection, and oversight via the technical assistance center.
• Institutions of Higher Education and Nonprofits: Partner in training, research, and disseminating best practices.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces ESEA's focus on equitable education by mandating supplemental funding and specific service assurances, with built-in accountability through applications, renewals, and progress reports. Contractor provisions include safeguards to ensure quality, but could raise questions about oversight of non-employee roles.
• Constitutional: Aligns with the federal role in supporting education under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8), without infringing on state authority, as grants are voluntary and tied to federal funds. No apparent free speech, privacy, or equal protection issues, though services addressing equity and social justice could indirectly support anti-discrimination efforts.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in youth mental health post-pandemic, potentially influencing future education budgets. The $100 million authorization may spark debates on funding priorities, especially in high-poverty areas, and emphasizes evidence-based practices, which could set precedents for similar workforce expansions in schools.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2026-03-04: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act — issued 2026-03-04 — PDF (12 pages)