NATSAP Policy Digest – February 2025

As part of our commitment to keeping members informed, The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs is closely tracking policy changes under the new administration that impact education, healthcare, and mental health treatment. Since January 20, 2025, the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and government-run mental health programs have undergone significant shifts. Some of these changes directly affect our members, while others have broader implications for the mental health and residential treatment field. This digest outlines the most relevant updates, and NATSAP will continue to monitor and report on these policy developments.

Policy Updates Since January 20, 2025 

Department of Education

1. Expansion of Educational Freedom and Opportunity
   • Action: President Trump signed an Executive Order on January 29, 2025, titled "Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families."
   • Details: The order emphasizes parental rights in directing their children's education and instructs multiple cabinet secretaries to propose plans for expanding educational choices.
   • Effective Date: Immediate, with proposals expected within 100 days.
   • Impact: Affects public schools, private educational institutions, and parents by potentially increasing school choice options.
2. Elimination of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) Initiatives
   • Action: The administration issued executive orders and agency memos beginning January 20, 2025, to eliminate DEIA practices within federal agencies, including the Department of Education.
   • Details: These directives aim to remove DEIA programs and policies, asserting they promote "anti-merit" practices.
   • Effective Date: Immediate, with agencies required to comply promptly.
   • Impact: Affects federal employees, educational institutions, and programs previously benefiting from DEIA initiatives.
3. Funding Freeze on Federal Grants
   • Action: A memorandum issued on January 20, 2025, directed all federal agencies, including the Department of Education, to freeze new or pending federal grants.
   • Details: The freeze aims to review and reassess funding allocations, potentially impacting ongoing and future educational programs.
   • Effective Date: Immediate, with the duration of the freeze unspecified. As of February 19, 2025, A federal judge in Washington, DC, has issued a temporary restraining order against a Trump administration effort to freeze funding for federal grants.
   • Impact: Affects educational institutions relying on federal grants, potentially disrupting program operations and funding.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

1. Establishment of the "Make America Healthy Again" Commission
   • Action: President Trump signed an Executive Order on February 13, 2025, creating the President's "Make America Healthy Again" Commission.
   • Details: Chaired by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the commission is tasked with investigating the root causes of America's health crises, focusing initially on childhood chronic diseases.
   • Effective Date: Immediate, with an assessment report due within 100 days.
   • Impact: Affects public health policy, healthcare providers, and patients by potentially reshaping health priorities and resource allocation.
2. Budget Reductions and Workforce Downsizing
   • Action: Under the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, HHS has faced significant budget cuts and mass layoffs.
   • Details: Efforts include reducing administrative expenses and eliminating positions deemed non-essential.
   • Effective Date: Ongoing since January 20, 2025.
   • Impact: Affects HHS employees, contractors, and potentially the delivery of health services due to reduced staffing and resources.

Government-Run Mental Health Programs

1. Policy Changes in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment
   • Action: In January 2025, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that clinicians no longer need a federal waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
   • Details: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) now requires all clinicians prescribing controlled substances to complete a one-time training.
   • Effective Date: January 2025.
   • Impact: Affects healthcare providers by simplifying the process for prescribing certain treatments, potentially increasing access for patients with opioid use disorder.
2. Release of the 2025 National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care
   • Action: SAMHSA published the 2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care.
   • Details: The guidelines aim to transform behavioral health crisis care systems, providing a framework for equitable and effective services.
   • Effective Date: Released in January 2025.
   • Impact: Affects mental health service providers, policymakers, and patients by setting standards for crisis care delivery.

Mental Health-Related Laws

1. Changes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policies
   • Action: President Trump signed executive orders addressing DEI programs within the federal government.
   • Details: These orders aim to eliminate DEI initiatives, affecting policies related to mental health services that previously incorporated DEI principles.
   • Effective Date: Immediate, as of January 2025.
   • Impact: Affects federal agencies, contractors, and beneficiaries of programs that included DEI components, potentially altering the delivery and focus of mental health services.
2. Expansion of Care Coordination Services
   • Action: Care coordination services for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) have been expanded to include advanced primary care management services.
   • Details: This policy change aims to incentivize comprehensive care models and improve patient outcomes, affecting healthcare providers and patients in rural areas.
   • Effective Date: January 1, 2025
   • Impact: Affects healthcare providers and patients in rural areas
3. Rescission of Medicaid and ACA Protections
   • Action: President Trump revoked Executive Order 14009, which aimed to protect and strengthen Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
   • Details: This action may lead to changes in Medicaid and ACA policies, potentially affecting insurance coverage and access to mental health services for beneficiaries.
   • Effective Date: Immediate
   • Impact: Affects insurance beneficiaries seeking access and coverage of mental health services.

These policy changes, initiated by executive orders and departmental directives, are set to impact various stakeholders, including educational institutions, healthcare providers, insurance companies, parents, and individuals relying on mental health services. The effective dates vary, with some policies already in effect and others pending further action or legal challenges.

Additional Developments

• Regulatory Reforms: The administration has introduced an executive order requiring federal agencies to identify at least ten existing regulations for repeal when proposing a new regulation. This "10 for 1" policy aims to significantly reduce federal regulations and associated economic costs.  
• Federal Workforce Reduction: Mass layoffs have been initiated across various federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These actions are part of a broader strategy to downsize the federal government and reduce spending.

NATSAP remains committed to advocating for policies that support ethical, effective, and accessible mental health treatment. As the administration continues introducing new policies, NATSAP will track the impact on our members, the broader mental health community, and the families served. Stay tuned for the next digest, where further updates and analysis on emerging legislative and regulatory changes will be provided. Any specific concerns or questions about how these policies affect your program, please reach out to NATSAP at info@natsap.org.

Other Sources:

• AALRR
• American Council on Education
• Business Insider
• NABH
• National Health Law Program
• Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler
• SAMHSA Library
• Sidley Austin
• The Guardian
• The White House
• U.S. Department of Education
• Wipfli LLP

Other articles of Interest: 

Resources

• New Resource: Behavioral Health Care Access Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) Populations Report and Webinar
• SAMHSA Releases Publications Supporting Mental Health
• SAMHSA Releases Updated National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance

Funding Opportunities

• Notice of Funding Opportunity: Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act Grants
• Notice of Funding Opportunity: Statewide Family Network

Research

• Brain structure differences are associated with early use of substances among adolescents
• Research Highlight: Primary Care Can Play Key Role in Suicide Prevention

News Articles

• Court strikes down Biden Title IX protections for trans students
• Federal Government Releases Requirements Related to MHPAEA
• Court reverses Biden Title IX transgender student protections
• Shutting Down the Department of Education Will Lead to Inequalities, a Lack of Innovation... and Worse!

Government/Regulator Updates

• SAMHSA Tackles Reducing Stigma Toward People With Substance Use Disorders and the Medications That Treat These Health Conditions
• Supreme Court airs concerns on child access to online porn