A federal judge has blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to cut funding for mental health services in schools, handing a win to New York Attorney General Letitia James and 15 other state attorneys general.
The ruling protects more than $7.6 million in mental health funding for New York schools that was at risk of being pulled. James called the decision “a victory for our young people” and said she would keep fighting to protect student health and safety.
“There is no reason to strip funding from critical programs that help students learn, heal, and thrive,” James said after the ruling.
Lawsuit targeted sudden cuts to mental health programs
In July, James and her counterparts sued the U.S. Department of Education after it moved to abruptly end two bipartisan grant programs. These programs, created by Congress in response to school shootings in Parkland and Uvalde, help fund school counselors, psychologists, and social workers across the country.
The funding is part of a broader effort to respond to the growing youth mental health crisis. The states argued the administration’s decision was unlawful and would harm students who rely on these services.
Injunction keeps funding in place while case moves forward
The preliminary injunction, granted by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, blocks the cuts for many institutions in the plaintiff states — including school districts and universities in New York.
With the court’s decision, those institutions can continue using existing federal funds while the legal fight continues.
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