Maryland AG Suing U.S. Education Department Over Proposed School Mental Health Grant Cuts

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside attorneys general from 14 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. The legal action aims to prevent the federal agency from unlawfully terminating congressionally approved grants dedicated to school-based mental health services. This move comes as the department reportedly plans to end these grants by the end of July, a decision that could result in the loss of over $3 million in funding for Maryland schools and universities.

The grants in question were established with bipartisan support, appropriating $1 billion to bring an additional 14,000 mental health professionals to underserved schools nationwide, particularly those in low-income and rural areas. The programs have demonstrated significant positive impacts in their initial year, providing services to nearly 775,000 elementary and secondary students. Documented outcomes include a notable reduction in suicide risk at high-need schools, decreased absenteeism and behavioral issues, and enhanced student-staff engagement. The attorneys general argue that the department’s attempt to eliminate these grants disregards legislative intent and the critical needs of students.

In April 2025, grantees in Maryland and other coalition states were informed that their grants would cease, citing conflicts with new administrative priorities. Further information revealed that the grants were targeted due to their perceived association with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This led to an initial lawsuit in July 2025, where the coalition successfully obtained a court order in December 2025 declaring the department’s discontinuations unlawful and prohibiting their implementation.

Despite this court order, the Department of Education has continued efforts to undermine these mental health grants. While the department has issued some continuation funding through December 31, 2026, it has only provided six months’ worth of funds, creating uncertainty for grantees and hindering long-term planning. Furthermore, the department has reportedly threatened to withhold the second half of the year’s funding and imposed burdensome administrative requirements, diverting resources away from essential student support. The department’s current plan to “terminate” the grants, rather than follow the court-ordered continuation process, is seen by the attorneys general as an attempt to circumvent the judicial order.

The lawsuit asserts that these planned terminations violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. The coalition is seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the grant terminations and secure continued funding. The potential loss of these grants poses a significant threat to the mental health support systems in schools. For instance, Bowie State University’s Ujima Center for School Counseling Scholars, which trains graduate students to provide mental health services in high-need K-12 schools, faces a potential loss of over $1.6 million. This funding supports 46 scholars who are actively engaged in providing critical services.

Similarly, the University of Maryland at Baltimore’s School-Based Mental Health Fellowship, which trains undergraduate and graduate students for careers in school mental health and has placed 82 fellows in approximately 50 schools, could lose nearly $1.8 million in anticipated funding, leading to the fellowship’s termination. The attorneys general emphasize that these grants are vital for addressing the ongoing youth mental health crisis and that the department’s actions are jeopardizing these crucial resources.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

Video Spotlight