THE PURPOSE of the United States Forum is to identify major issues affecting women, children, and education upon which the United States members may take action.
Read more about this issue by clicking on this link. United States Forum DKGUS Forum Update—Northeast Region - Bev Johns (May 27 2024)
HR 82—Social Security Fairness Act of 2023. This bill aims at repealing the Windfall Elimination
Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Assigned to House Ways and Means
Committee. This bill has over 300 House Sponsors.
HR 485 On February 7, the House approved HR 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients
Act. This bill, introduced by Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), amends Title XI of
the Social Security Act to prohibit the use of quality-adjusted life years, or QALYs, in coverage
and payment determinations under Federal health care programs. This would specify that
agencies should not treat extending the life of an elderly, disabled, or terminally ill person as
being worth less than extending the life of a younger, non-disabled, or not terminally ill
person. This bill was passed 211-208. It is unclear whether the bill will be taken up in the
Senate.
HR 516 introduced by U.S. Representative Lieu. Homelessness Through Services and Housing
Act. This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to local
and tribal government entities for the planning and implementation of programs to address
homelessness. The program includes five-year implementation grants to assist such entities in
carrying out activities and paying capital building costs associated with the provision of housing
and services to homeless individuals and families. Eligible entities must demonstrate the
capacity to address areas such as mental health, substance use disorder and recovery services,
chronic health conditions, and educational and job training.
HR 744, introduced by U.S Representative Suzanne Bonamici from the State of Oregon and
known as "Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2023" is based on the
Mental Health Resolution of DKG is now in a U.S. House - Energy and Commerce; Education.
Workforce Subcommittee on Health.
HR 3771, Rep. Thomas Kean from New Jersey introduced Health Minds for a Better Future Act.
This bill establishes the Middle School Mental Health Task Force at the Department of
Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The task force must study and
report on the resources that are available to secondary school educators and parents for
helping students who are experiencing mental health issues.
HR 3669—U.S. Representative Rick Allen from Georgia has introduced this entitled: Expanding
Student Access to Mental Health Services Act. This bill authorizes state and local educational
agencies to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants to improve mental health
services available to students. Specifically, it allows funds to be used for identifying and
disseminating best practices for mental health first aid, emergency planning, coordination of
services, and telehealth services.
HR 7108, US Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Jahana Hayes
introduced, The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act. Under this proposed
legislation, awards could be made to school districts and states so they can increase the
number of school counselors, social workers, psychologists or other mental health professionals
qualified to provide school based mental health services.
S. 65—Durbin, Duckworth, and Booker. To amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 to give the Department of Education the authority to award competitive
grants to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs to
assist at-risk students in middle school and high school in developing cognitive and social-
emotional skills to prepare them for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the
workforce.
• S 366 Legislation to Increase Teachers Salaries—PAY TEACHERS ACT
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
introduced legislation to begin addressing teacher shortages by establishing a baseline wage to
teachers of $60,000 per year. Citing the dire need for the legislation, Sanders explained,
“Wages for public school teachers are so low that in 36 states, the average public school
teacher with a family of four qualifies for food stamps, public housing and other government
assistance programs.”
In addition to raising teacher pay, the Pay Teachers Act would also increase federal investments
in other areas of public schooling that contribute to increased student learning and that lead to
a robust pipeline for educators from preservice through to leadership advancements. Notably,
it would provide an additional $300 million annually for the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act Part D Personnel Preparation, and further invest in additional programs that
diversify and support the quality of the educator pipeline.
S. 597. SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT
Seeks a full repeal of WEP and GPO. There are 53 co-sponsors in the Senate.
S. 1202--PACT Act--Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV)
reintroduced the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act. The bill
would create a ten-year glidepath to fully funding both Title I and IDEA, closing the gap
between federal mandates and their funding.
S. 1285—BENNETT. SCHOOL SHOOTING SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS ACT. THIS BILL REQUIRES
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ED) TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL REPORT ON INDICATORS OF
SCHOOL CRIME AND SAFETY. THE REPORT MUST COLLECT SPECIFIED INFORMATION,
INCLUDING:
- the number of school shootings that have taken place nationwide and the number of those that were mass shootings;
- the number of people killed or injured in each school shooting;
- the age, gender, race, ethnicity, and nationality of each victim;
- the motivation of the shooter;
- how the shooting was stopped;
- the number and type of firearms and ammunition used in each shooting; and
- the response time of law enforcement.
- ED must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to collect and publish specified data on school shootings.
- The center must collect information on the existence or absence of specified measures at the time of the shooting, including physical and other types of security measures, a communication plan with local law enforcement, a response plan that includes coordination with local agencies, an active shooter response plan, and a trauma response plan.
requires other activities to improve mental and behavioral health among education
professionals and other school staff. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) must award grants or contracts to educational agencies, institutions of higher education,
or consortia of such entities for programs to promote mental health and resiliency among
education professionals and other school staff. In addition, HHS may award grants for educator
preparation programs and training.
Additionally, HHS must conduct a campaign to (1) encourage education professionals and other
school staff to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns, and (2)
disseminate best practices to prevent suicide and improve mental health and resiliency among
education professionals and other school staff.
HHS must also study and develop policy recommendations on
- improving mental and behavioral health among education professionals and other school staff,
- removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency.
relevant federal grant programs address the prevalence and severity of mental health
conditions and substance use disorders among education professionals and other school staff.
S 3360--On May 1, 2023, U.S. Senators Jack Reed, Bob Casey and Ben Ray Lujan and United
States Representative Alma Adams introduced the Educators for America Act. This legislation
calls for $1 billion that would support states and local communities in building a new educator
pipeline that will ensure that all schools have the diverse, profession-ready teachers, principals,
librarians, counselors, and other instructional personnel.
S. 4041, The CARE for Student Mental Health Act. Senators Cornyn, Sinema, Tillis, Tester, and
Hassan introduced on March 21, 2024, S4041, The CARE for Student Mental Health Act. This
proposed legislation broadens access to competitive mental health grants distributed by the
U.S. Department of Education to ensure high-need, low-capacity districts and students in
geographically isolated areas can benefit. It targets funding to high-needs districts and alters
how the Department alerts districts to mental health funding opportunities. It also authorizes
and streamlines the Strengthening the Pipeline of School-Based Mental Health Services
Providers grant (formerly named MHSP) which supports partnerships between Institutions of
Higher Education and LEAs to increase the number of properly trained school based mental
health service professionals. The bill also authorizes the School Based Mental Health Services
Program (SBMH) that assists high need LEAs to recruit, hire, and retain school based mental
health personnel for students to remain healthy, engaged, and safe at school.
APPLICATIONS FOR US FORUM STEERING COMMITTEE
Please consider applying for one of the five positions on the 2024-2026 US Forum Steering Committee: Chair, or Regional Representative of the region where you hold your DKG membership (NE, NW, SE, SW).
It’s not too late. Applications are due by this Friday, May 31st.
1. Go to the U.S. Forum website at www.dkgusforum.org.
2. Click on https://dkgusforum.org/operational-guidelines and review closely the Duties of Elected Leadership Team Members and the election process before applying for a position.
3. Click on https://forms.gle/NDQcPewugNY2Y6qN7 to complete a copy of the candidate application.
The election will be held July 12, 2024 at the U.S. Forum Session at the International Convention in National Harbor, Maryland. You do not need to be present to be on the ballot for a committee position.
Take the next step in making a difference. Apply today for a leadership position on the 2024-2026 US Forum Steering Committee!
US Forum Update—Northeast Region - Bev Johns (May 2024)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), finalized a final rule on May 1 that updates and provides more protections for people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. It clarifies and strengthens civil rights protections for people with disabilities, addresses discrimination in medical treatment, adds enforceable standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment, and ensures accessible web content and mobile apps. To read the final rule and other fact sheets in multiple languages, see OCR’s Section 504 landing page.
final_may_2024_connection.pdf
US FORUM UPDATE—NORTHEAST REGION - Bev Johns (April 2024)
TITLE IX
The U.S. Department of Education on Friday, April 19, 2024 issued its long-awaited Title IX rule.
According to an article by Naaz Modan of K-12 Dive, the new rule defines sex-based harassment as including harassment based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy and related conditions, and gender identity and sexual orientation.
“The regulations also broaden the conditions triggering Title IX protections by changing the definition of sex-based harassment from conduct that is “severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive,” to either “severe or pervasive” conduct that must be considered both “subjectively and objectively offensive.”
Modan, N. (April 19, 2024) . K-12 Dive.
UPDATE ON SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT
On Tuesday, April 16th, the U.S. House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee heard testimony from Social Security experts about the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, and S. 597, seeks a full repeal of WEP and GPO. These bills have bipartisan support in both chambers. H.R. 82 has over 300 co-sponsors in the House, while S. 597 has 53 co-sponsors in the Senate.
The committee heard from witnesses who discussed the intended purpose, shortcomings, and alternatives to these polices. The committee hearing served as a subject-matter hearing only and did not result in a committee vote. A timeline for action to advance the Social Security Fairness Act was not provided.
TIK-TOK
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would require TikTok-owner ByteDance to sell the popular social media app or see it banned in the United States.
The new bill was passed 360-58, with strong support from a majority of both Republicans and Democrats. It’s part of a larger package that includes foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
The Senate could take up the package this week, and President Biden has said he will sign. If that happens, TikTok is expected to challenge the bill in court.
AN OVERVIEW OF SOME PENDING LEGISLATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL--For Your Information
By Bev Johns (March 2024)
HR 82—Social Security Fairness Act of 2023. This bill aims at repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee.
HR 485 On February 7, the House approved HR 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act. This bill, introduced by Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), amends Title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit the use of quality-adjusted life years, or QALYs, in coverage and payment determinations under Federal health care programs. This would specify that agencies should not treat extending the life of an elderly, disabled, or terminally ill person as being worth less than extending the life of a younger, non-disabled, or not terminally ill person. This bill was passed 211-208. It is unclear whether the bill will be taken up in the Senate.
HR 516 introduced by U.S. Representative Lieu. Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act. This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to local and tribal government entities for the planning and implementation of programs to address homelessness.
The program includes five-year implementation grants to assist such entities in carrying out activities and paying capital building costs associated with the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families.
Eligible entities must demonstrate the capacity to address areas such as mental health, substance use disorder and recovery services, chronic health conditions, and educational and job training.
HR 744, introduced by U.S Representative Suzanne Bonamici from the State of Oregon and known as "Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2023" is based on the Mental Health Resolution of DKG is now in a U.S. House - Energy and Commerce; Education. Workforce Subcommittee on Health.
HR 3771, Rep. Thomas Kean from New Jersey introduced Health Minds for a Better Future Act. This bill establishes the Middle School Mental Health Task Force at the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The task force must study and report on the resources that are available to secondary school educators and parents for helping students who are experiencing mental health issues.
HR 7108, US Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Jahana Hayes introduced, The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act. Under this proposed legislation, awards could be made to school districts and states so they can increase the number of school counselors, social workers, psychologists or other mental health professionals qualified to provide school based mental health services.
HR 3669—U.S. Representative Rick Allen from Georgia has introduced this entitled: Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act. This bill authorizes state and local educational agencies to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants to improve mental health services available to students. Specifically, it allows funds to be used for identifying and disseminating best practices for mental health first aid, emergency planning, coordination of services, and telehealth services.
S. 1285--Bennett. School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act. This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to publish an annual report on indicators of school crime and safety. The report must collect specified information, including:
- the number of school shootings that have taken place nationwide and the number of those that were mass shootings;
- the number of people killed or injured in each school shooting;
- the age, gender, race, ethnicity, and nationality of each victim;
- the motivation of the shooter;
- how the shooting was stopped;
- the number and type of firearms and ammunition used in each shooting; and
- the response time of law enforcement.
- ED must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to collect and publish specified data on school shootings.
- The center must collect information on the existence or absence of specified measures at the time of the shooting, including physical and other types of security measures, a communication plan with local law enforcement, a response plan that includes coordination with local agencies, an active shooter response plan, and a trauma response plan.
Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants or contracts to educational agencies, institutions of higher education, or consortia of such entities for programs to promote mental health and resiliency among education professionals and other school staff. In addition, HHS may award grants for educator preparation programs and training.
Additionally, HHS must conduct a campaign to (1) encourage education professionals and other school staff to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns, and (2) disseminate best practices to prevent suicide and improve mental health and resiliency among education professionals and other school staff.
HHS must also study and develop policy recommendations on
- improving mental and behavioral health among education professionals and other school staff,
- removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and
- identifying strategies to promote resiliency.
S. 3360--On May 1, 2023, U.S. Senators Jack Reed, Bob Casey and Ben Ray Lujan and United States Representative Alma Adams introduced the Educators for America Act. This legislation calls for $1 billion that would support states and local communities in building a new educator pipeline that will ensure that all schools have the diverse, profession-ready teachers, principals, librarians, counselors, and other instructional personnel.
S. 1202--PACT Act--Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) reintroduced the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act. The bill would create a ten-year glidepath to fully funding both Title I and IDEA, closing the gap between federal mandates and their funding.
S. 366 Legislation to Increase Teachers' Salaries—PAY TEACHERS ACT
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation to begin addressing teacher shortages by establishing a baseline wage to teachers of $60,000 per year. Citing the dire need for the legislation, Sanders explained, “Wages for public school teachers are so low that in 36 states, the average public school teacher with a family of four qualifies for food stamps, public housing and other government assistance programs.”
In addition to raising teacher pay, the Pay Teachers Act would also increase federal investments in other areas of public schooling that contribute to increased student learning and that lead to a robust pipeline for educators from preservice through to leadership advancements. Notably, it would provide an additional $300 million annually for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part D Personnel Preparation, and further invest in additional programs that diversify and support the quality of the educator pipeline.
AN OVERVIEW OF SOME PENDING LEGISLATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL
By Bev Johns (Feb. 25, 2024)
HR 485 On February 7, the House approved HR 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act. This bill, introduced by Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), amends Title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit the use of quality-adjusted life years, or QALYs, in coverage and payment determinations under Federal health care programs. This would specify that agencies should not treat extending the life of an elderly, disabled, or terminally ill person as being worth less than extending the life of a younger, non-disabled, or not terminally ill person. This bill was passed 211-208. It is unclear whether the bill will be taken up in the Senate.
HR 744, introduced by U.S Representative Suzanne Bonamici from the State of Oregon and known as "Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2023" is based on the Mental Health Resolution of DKG is now in a U.S. House - Energy and Commerce; Education. Workforce Subcommittee on Health.
HR 3771, Rep. Thomas Kean from New Jersey introduced Health Minds for a Better Future Act. This bill establishes the Middle School Mental Health Task Force at the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The task force must study and report on the resources that are available to secondary school educators and parents for helping students who are experiencing mental health issues.
HR 7108, US Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Jahana Hayes introduced this past week on January 29, 2024, The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act. Under this proposed legislation, awards could be made to school districts and states so they can increase the number of school counselors, social workers, psychologists or other mental health professionals qualified to provide school based mental health services.
HR 3669—U.S. Representative Rick Allen from Georgia has introduced this entitled: Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act. This bill authorizes state and local educational agencies to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants to improve mental health services available to students. Specifically, it allows funds to be used for identifying and disseminating best practices for mental health first aid, emergency planning, coordination of services, and telehealth services.
S.2530—Senator Robert Casey from PA has introduced. This bill establishes grants and requires other activities to improve mental and behavioral health among education professionals and other school staff.
Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants or contracts to educational agencies, institutions of higher education, or consortia of such entities for programs to promote mental health and resiliency among education professionals and other school staff. In addition, HHS may award grants for educator preparation programs and training.
Additionally, HHS must conduct a campaign to (1) encourage education professionals and other school staff to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns, and (2) disseminate best practices to prevent suicide and improve mental health and resiliency among education professionals and other school staff.
HHS must also study and develop policy recommendations on
- improving mental and behavioral health among education professionals and other school staff,
- removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and
- identifying strategies to promote resiliency.
S. 3360--On May 1, 2023, U.S. Senators Jack Reed, Bob Casey and Ben Ray Lujan and United States Representative Alma Adams introduced the Educators for America Act. This legislation calls for $1 billion that would support states and local communities in building a new educator pipeline that will ensure that all schools have the diverse, profession-ready teachers, principals, librarians, counselors, and other instructional personnel.
S. 1202--PACT Act--Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) reintroduced the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act. The bill would create a ten-year glidepath to fully funding both Title I and IDEA, closing the gap between federal mandates and their funding.
S. 366 Legislation to Increase Teachers' Salaries—PAY TEACHERS ACT
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation to begin addressing teacher shortages by establishing a baseline wage to teachers of $60,000 per year. Citing the dire need for the legislation, Sanders explained, “Wages for public school teachers are so low that in 36 states, the average public school teacher with a family of four qualifies for food stamps, public housing and other government assistance programs.”
In addition to raising teacher pay, the Pay Teachers Act would also increase federal investments in other areas of public schooling that contribute to increased student learning and that lead to a robust pipeline for educators from preservice through to leadership advancements. Notably, it would provide an additional $300 million annually for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part D Personnel Preparation, and further invest in additional programs that diversify and support the quality of the educator pipeline.
AN OVERVIEW OF SOME PENDING LEGISLATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL (Jan 2024)
HR 744, introduced by U.S Representative Suzanne Bonamici from the State of Oregon and known as "Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2023" is based on the Mental Health Resolution of DKG is now in a U.S. House - Energy and Commerce; Education. Workforce Subcommittee on Health.
HR 7108, US Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Jahana Hayes introduced this past week on January 29, 2024, The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act. Under this proposed legislation, awards could be made to school districts and states so they can increase the number of school counselors, social workers, psychologists or other mental health professionals qualified to provide school based mental health services.
HR 3669—U.S. Representative Rick Allen from Georgia has introduced this entitled: Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act. This bill authorizes state and local educational agencies to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants to improve mental health services available to students. Specifically, it allows funds to be used for identifying and disseminating best practices for mental health first aid, emergency planning, coordination of services, and telehealth services.
S 3360--On May 1, 2023, U.S. Senators Jack Reed, Bob Casey and Ben Ray Lujan and United States Representative Alma Adams introduced the Educators for America Act. This legislation calls for $1 billion that would support states and local communities in building a new educator pipeline that will ensure that all schools have the diverse, profession-ready teachers, principals, librarians, counselors, and other instructional personnel.
S. 1202--PACT Act--Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) reintroduced the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act. The bill would create a ten-year glidepath to fully funding both Title I and IDEA, closing the gap between federal mandates and their funding.
S 366 Legislation to Increase Teachers' Salaries—PAY TEACHERS ACT
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation to begin addressing teacher shortages by establishing a baseline wage to teachers of $60,000 per year. Citing the dire need for the legislation, Sanders explained, “Wages for public school teachers are so low that in 36 states, the average public school teacher with a family of four qualifies for food stamps, public housing and other government assistance programs.”
In addition to raising teacher pay, the Pay Teachers Act would also increase federal investments in other areas of public schooling that contribute to increased student learning and that lead to a robust pipeline for educators from preservice through to leadership advancements. Notably, it would provide an additional $300 million annually for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part D Personnel Preparation, and further invest in additional programs that diversify and support the quality of the educator pipeline.