An Act to Expand School-Based Mental Health and Dropout Prevention Services in New York

The State of New York shall establish a targeted grant program through the State Education Department, in coordination with the Office of Mental Health, to help public school districts expand on-site mental health counseling, early absenteeism intervention, dropout-prevention case management, and school-community referral partnerships for students identified as at risk of chronic absenteeism, academic disengagement, or crisis. Priority shall be given to high-need districts and schools demonstrating staffing shortages or elevated dropout rates, with annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on program participation, attendance, graduation outcomes, and implementation needs.