On March 9, 2022, the House and Senate Appropriations Committee released the text of the omnibus spending package, which contains all 12 fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations bills, totaling more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding through September 30, 2022. The package includes a 6.7 percent ($42 billion) increase in non-defense discretionary programs, including $213.6 billion in non-defense discretionary funding for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS), a $15.3 billion increase over the FY 2021 package.

The non-defense discretionary funding also includes $1.28 billion dollars for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment block grant program under Title IV-A of ESSA, which is a $60 million increase over FY21. This flexible funding stream has allowed states and districts to invest in a multitude of evidence-based programs that offer the support students need to succeed and thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. The Title IV-A block grant program helps to support the establishment and retention of school counseling programs across the country.

We will closely monitor this issue and keep you informed. If you would like to learn more or become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.