Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay 

July 29, 2026 - OAKLAND — As part of a coalition of 15 attorneys general, California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Tuesday announced an early court victory blocking the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) latest effort to terminate federal funding that helps schools recruit and train mental health professionals and provide essential mental health services to high-need students. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington granted the coalition’s motion for a temporary restraining order, blocking the Department’s unlawful effort to terminate critical mental health grants awarded through the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program and the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program. Congress established these programs to address shortages of school-based counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals, particularly in schools in low-income and rural communities. Earlier this month, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition filed a lawsuit challenging the Department’s renewed effort to end funding for these programs after an earlier attempt was struck down. On the same day it filed the lawsuit, the coalition sought a temporary restraining order, which the court granted last night. 

“The Trump Administration once again targeted critical school mental health funding, and once again, we pushed back. The court’s ruling blocks its unlawful attempt to terminate these grants while our case moves forward,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We will continue fighting the Administration’s illegal actions and ensure schools have fair access to essential mental health services.”

The temporary restraining order, issued after notice and a hearing, will remain in effect through August 24, 2026, while the court considers the coalition’s request for a preliminary injunction. In granting the order, the court concluded that the Department’s termination plan likely violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it is arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law. The court also denied as moot the Department’s request to clarify that a prior permanent injunction did not prevent the Department from terminating the grants.

Source: CA. DOJ