H.R. 7497 — Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act of 2026

This section revises Section 7134 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (42 U.S.C. 280h–7) to authorize the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities for up to five years to develop evidence-based initiatives connecting schools, local educational agencies, or tribal educational agencies with community trauma-informed support and mental health systems, including the Indian Health Service. From amounts appropriated under the section, the Secretary reserves up to 3% for program evaluation and up to 2% for technical assistance and administration. Grant recipients must use funds for at least one of the following: (1) enhancing collaborations between schools or educational agencies and community mental health systems; (2) implementing trauma-informed models such as positive behavioral interventions; (3) providing professional development to school personnel on trauma identification, referral, and support; (4) delivering services at full-service community schools; (5) engaging families and communities; (6) evaluating effectiveness; (7) partnering with or subgranting to early childhood programs; or (8) establishing or enhancing staff mental health and resiliency programs. Applications must describe proposed initiatives (including linguistic and cultural competence and school climate improvements) and assure that service providers are fully licensed or certified.