By Jen Curt, CTIPP's Director of Government Affairs
RISE from Trauma Act
S. 2086 (117th Congress)
To improve the identification and support of children and families who experience trauma.
Sponsored by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Summary: The Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion (RISE) from Trauma Act builds upon the conclusions published in a 2019 Government Accountability Office report and calls for increased resources and a trauma-informed workforce for communities to support children who have experienced trauma.
The RISE from Trauma Act would expand the trauma-informed workforce in schools, health care settings, social services, first responders, and the justice system, and increase resources for communities to address the impact of trauma. Specifically, the bill:
Section 101 creates a new, $600 million annual U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant program to fund community-based coalitions that coordinate stakeholders and deliver targeted local services to address trauma (learn more!);
Creates a new HHS grant program to support hospital-based trauma interventions, such as for patients that suffer violent injuries, in order to address mental health needs, prevent re-injury, and improve long-term outcomes;
Increases funding for the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program, in order to recruit more mental health clinicians—including from under-represented populations—to serve in schools;
Enhances federal training programs at HHS, U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Education to provide more tools for early childhood clinicians, teachers, school leaders, first responders, and community leaders; and
Establishes training and certification guidelines to enable insurance reimbursement for community figures—such as mentors, peers, and faith leaders—to address trauma.