Press Releases

Committee for Children and CASEL Applaud US House Appropriations Committee Vote: $260 Million for Social-Emotional Learning

CONTACTS:

CFC: Shauna McBride, smcbride@cfchildren.org, 206-612-8718

CASEL: Hank Resnik: hresnik@casel.org, 305-923-4259

May 8, 2019The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and Committee for Children (CFC) strongly applaud today’s vote by US House Appropriations Committee to support an unprecedented $260 million for social-emotional learning (SEL) as part of the 2020 federal education funding bill. The funds would support:

  • A new grant program to research students’ SEL needs ($170 million)
  • Teacher professional development ($25 million)
  • A competitive grant to help school districts increase the number of mental health professionals in schools ($25 million)
  • Support for community schools ($40 million)

“Today’s vote is an important milestone for the field. It reflects growing recognition about the value of SEL in promoting students’ overall well-being and success—academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Karen Niemi, president and CEO of CASEL. “The research is clear: SEL works. Educators, parents, students, and employers all want more of it. With today’s vote, policymakers join them.”

“This federal investment in SEL is a bold demonstration of support for our educators,” said Joan Cole Duffell, executive director of Committee for Children. “We thank the entire House Appropriations Committee for recognizing the needs of educators, who overwhelmingly believe in the value of SEL, and who have asked for help to bring that belief to life in their communities.”

Support for the funding was championed by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill now goes to the full House.

About the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional LearningHouse Appropriations Committee

CASEL, a nonprofit founded in 1994, defined SEL more than two decades ago. Today, it collaborates with leading experts and supports districts, schools, and states nationwide to drive research, guide practice, and inform policy.

About Committee for Children

Committee for Children’s mission is to ensure children everywhere can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. Best known for its innovative social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula, since 1979 it has been connecting experts in the field to share experiences and advance the cause of educating the whole child.