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Trump urges Speaker Mike Johnson to raise taxes on the wealthy, adding new wrinkle to massive GOP bill; New Sierra Club dashboard tracks IN coal pollution; Report says moms spend 167% more time parenting than dads; MI 'clean fuels' backers speak out as Congress could end EV tax credits.

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A judge orders certification of the 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court race, Wisconsin Democrats want congressional maps redrawn, and the interim U.S. Attorney for District of Columbia loses the job over his support for January 6th rioters.

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Volunteers with AmeriCorps are devastated by cuts to the 30-year-old program, Head Start has dodged elimination but cuts are likely, moms are the most vulnerable when extreme weather hits, and bullfrogs await their 15-minutes of fame in rural California.

Report: FL schools face mental-health staffing shortfalls

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Tuesday, April 22, 2025   

Florida schools still face critical mental health staffing shortages with less than 25% of needed psychologists in place, despite expanding telemental health programs.

A new national School Mental Health Report Card from the advocacy group Inseparable showed the state lags in early intervention and staffing ratios, even as state lawmakers work to address the issue.

Rep. Christine Hunchofsky, D-Parkland, helped pass a law requiring mental-health coordinators in every district to address gaps in student care.

"It's really about a coordinated effort," Hunchofsky explained. "Making sure everybody's talking to each other so that we can do the best we can to make sure our students get the services they need, especially if they are struggling."

Despite 90% of Florida voters supporting expanded school mental health services in recent polling, challenges persist. The report shows Florida has made progress in areas such as excused mental health absences and teacher training but joins all other states in failing to meet all 13 recommended policy targets.

The report highlighted acute challenges for Florida's rural schools, where mental health access lags behind urban districts.

Caitlin Hochul, vice president of public policy for Inseparable, cited a proven solution other states have adopted.

"One of the most effective things states can be doing is expanding Medicaid to cover all eligible students and providing mental health services to all of those Medicaid-eligible students," Hochul emphasized. "That can help states draw down some federal dollars."

While 34 states and Washington D.C. have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, including Republican-led states such as Arkansas and Arizona, the Sunshine State continues to forgo nearly $6 billion in annual federal funding, which could support school mental health programs, according to 2025 estimates from the Florida Policy Institute.

Disclosure: Inseparable contributes to our fund for reporting on Criminal Justice, Health Issues, Mental Health, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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