H.R. 7394 — Mental Health Career Promotion Act

This section establishes the Mental and Behavioral Health Career Promotion Grant Program, under which the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, awards grants to partnerships of (1) one or more local educational agencies (or a consortium or state educational agency), (2) one or more public junior or community colleges (or a consortium), and (3) at least one community-based mental or behavioral health provider (e.g., certified community behavioral health clinic, community mental health center, opioid treatment program) or other entity (e.g., state or local behavioral health authority, human service agency, child welfare agency, historically Black college or university). Grants support eligible programs promoting careers in mental and behavioral health (i.e., direct treatment or recovery support occupations such as physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, social workers, counselors, psychologists, peer support specialists) to students in grades 9 through 12 or at public junior or community colleges through activities such as educational presentations, internships, shadowing professionals, mentorships, and partnerships with higher education institutions and behavioral health organizations. (Activities must be developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate.) Grants are for five years (renewable), ensure geographical diversity, and include technical assistance for high-need local educational agencies and public junior or community colleges; grantees must use no more than 10% of funds for data collection, performance measurement, and assessment and submit annual reports with outcome data (e.g., related to students, families, and local educational systems); and the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress on program results and effectiveness (beginning not later than one year after enactment).