Durbin Talks Youth Mental Health, Education Funding With Illinois Association Of School Boards

Durbin Talks Youth Mental Health, Education Funding With Illinois Association Of School Boards

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) to discuss federal education funding as the Trump Administration aims to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and cut off local school districts from federal resources. During their meeting, Durbin and IASB members addressed the importance of pushing back against the Trump Administration's cuts by securing strong funding for Title I schools and increasing federal funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to assist schools in providing special education services for students.

Durbin and IASB members also spoke about youth mental health as more teens report serious mental health challenges. In 2018, Durbin and U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) established a the "Trauma Support in Schools" grant program through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). The program increases student access to evidence-based trauma support in schools, helping children to heal from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that harm brain development and increase risk of suicide, opioid misuse, and academic delays.

"Our children deserve to learn in a safe environment that has the resources to support their emotional and academic needs. Rather than build up our public schools, the Trump Administration has slashed funding and attacked the Department of Education," Durbin said. "In my meeting with the Illinois Association of School Boards members, we discussed ways we can support schools and set up our students for personal and academic success."

Photos of the meeting are available here.

Illinois school districts that had representatives attending the meeting included:

1. Triopia Community Unit School District 27
2. Rockford Public Schools District 205
3. Naperville Community Unit School District 203
4. Meridian Community Unit School District 223
5. Bremen High School District 228
6. Arlington Heights School District 25
7. Huntsonville School District 1

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