MADISON – Representative Jon Plumer (R – Lodi) released the weekly radio address on behalf of Wisconsin Legislative Republicans.
I’m sure it comes as no surprise to any of you that our children’s mental health has been
severely affected as a result of the pandemic and actions taken in response to it. Getting our children back to school in person this year will help, but damage has already been done. We need to do what we can to address their mental health needs and Assembly Bill 564 will address that.
Wisconsin is estimated to receive $2.5 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA.
Allowable uses of these funds include behavior health needs exacerbated by the pandemic which includes mental health services. This bill would set aside a minimum of $100 million for school mental health services. We know there is a need here and we also know that the mental health needs will be ongoing for years to come.
To provide transparency in how those funds are being spent, this bill would require the
Department of Public Instruction to provide a status report of how all federal coronavirus relief funds have been spent and how much remain prior to expending or obligating any of the mental health or school safety funds. Through this bill we will be able offer additional help to address the mental health needs of our students.
Audio: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/asm63/Rep Plumer 09.21.2021 Radio Address.mp3
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qmxIMZQhEo
