SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – A legal battle unfolded Thursday between a coalition of states and the federal government over whether the U.S. Department of Education had the authority to halt grants for school mental health services tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The dispute centers on two programs established by Congress in 2018 and 2020 to provide mental health funding to high-need, low-income, and rural schools. According to 16 states led by Washington, the grants had supported approximately 775,000 students with mental and behavioral health services.
The states contend that the department and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon abruptly discontinued 137 grants in April, citing concerns that the promotion of DEI initiatives conflicted with federal priorities. Washington’s Attorney General’s office argued the department unlawfully shifted its grant objectives, focusing on restricting DEI work instead of evaluating grantee performance. Attorneys for the states requested partial summary judgment and an injunction to prevent new grants from being approved before the performance of existing grants was reviewed, emphasizing that decisions should be data-driven rather than influenced by newly imposed priorities. Federal attorneys countered that the government retains discretion to discontinue grants based on its interests, not solely on grantee performance, and that administrative deference limits judicial interference. U.S. District Judge Kymberly Evanson, presiding over the case, indicated she would issue a ruling as soon as possible.